SSZ And Vans Add Double Tongues To The Old Skool

Taking to Instagram to tease his collaboration with Vans, BEAMS buyer and SSZ director Tadayuki Kato sheds some light on the inspiration behind the stunning release as well as some detailed pictures of the central motif. Influenced heavily by the skate culture that surrounds him — as is reflected by his label’s name of “Surf & Skate Zine — Kato sets out to revise the ever-classic Old Skool in the deconstructive aesthetic he has become known for. Comprised of an off-white and black palette, the pair features a subtly stitched outline of the usual Jazz Stripe and clear waffle sole with an inside-out double tongue acting as the shoe’s focal point. Laced either under or over, the extra addition can be worn boldly as a protective shroud to the lace unit or toned down to fit a more contemporary style. Serving as an affectionate love letter to his favorite silhouette, the deeply rooted partnership continues on with yet another bold model. Expect to find these hitting BEAMS in Japan this weekend on November 17th.