Mastermind Japan Gives The Vans Style 36 The Skull And Crossbones

Japan’s Mastermind has added their signature skull and crossbones motif to many a recognizable sneaker silhouette, from the Converse Chuck Taylor to the adidas NMD XR1. However, one of their longest-running and most notable partnerships is with Vans, as their hybrid high-end/street aesthetic, sinister branding and black/white color palate — the same combo that Vans frequently calls upon — works wonders with the California brand’s skate shoes.

The latest model in the two’s long-running co-op is the classic Vans Style 36, the first shoe ever to feature the now-iconic jazz stripe. Mastermind leaves the canvas upper almost entirely untouched with the exception of their signature skull and crossbones hit on the heel — but plenty of special detailing is present on the shoe’s lower half. The white midsole is swapped out for a black version with embossed “Mastermind” text, and the translucent outsole reveals a black and white checkered pattern underneath. These altered Style 36s are set to release August 29th on Mastermind’s webstore and at Japanese retailers like California Dept, retailing for ¥17,000 or around $153 USD.