Andrew Rizzo Vans looks set to breathe new life into its “Off The Wall” tagline, creating a dedicated sub-brand called “OTW by Vans” focused on collaborations with those who define today’s hottest fashion trends. The label’s inaugural collaboration calls upon Los Angeles artist Sterling Ruby and his titular brand S.R. STUDIO. LA. CA., combining two forces in Southern California’s design space.
The first OTW release offers all-new silhouette; the “Clash The Wall.” Four classic Vans icons are referenced in the new shoe; the Old Skool 36, Authentic, Mid-Skool 77, and the Sk8-Hi, working together to produce a disruptive look reminiscent of Ruby’s various pieces to date. A split quarter and heel offer the strongest example of shoe’s mixed-media aesthetic, interrupting the continuity of the sidestripe and foot entrypoint with different lateral and medial heights. Special branding takes to the tongue and midsole in bold typography, matched by a split Vans logo on the heel, while separate green and orange pairs mimic the colors of notable S.R. STUDIO inventions.
Ruby states: “This collaboration is a personal collaboration, the first S.R. STUDIO. LA. CA. collaboration. Vans feels right to us, it defines a certain West Coast history. The company started in 1966 and has run in tandem to so many skaters, bands, and movements that have been influential to me, my art, and how my studio runs as a whole.”
The collaboration will be available in limited quantities on Thursday, February 29th at otw.vans.com, with a second OTW drop arriving before the end of 2024. In the meantime, enjoy official images below.
