Andrew Rizzo Known well in the sneaker world by their Nike SB Dunk High from 2021, Baltimore skate shop Carpet Company has linked up with Vans on a collaborative sneaker and apparel collection, marking the first time the two brands have joined forces. Highlighted by two Vans Half Cab colorways, the footwear slate revolves heavily around Steve Caballero and the icon nature of his second signature Vans skate shoe.
Skaters are surely well aware, but to the uninformed, Steve Caballero is one of the most legendary riders of all time, named “Skater Of The Century” by Thrasher Magazine in 1999. Beginning his career at the age of fourteen in 1978, he went on to set world records and invent new tricks well into the 80s and 90s, the most notable being the “Caballerial” (aka the “Cab”).
His signature sneaker line with Vans kicked off in 1989, with the Half Cab arriving three years later. Now on the market for over three decades, the Half Cab has only gotten more rich in lore as new waves of skaters and sneakerheads keep building on its history. The Carpet Company x Vans capsule nods to Caballero and the Half Cab while incorporating some added hallmarks of the Baltimore brand.
Taking direction from one of Cabellero’s skate deck designs featuring a Chinese dragon, which is said to be inspired by takeout boxes, Capet Company brings faux reptilian skin to two different Skate Half Cab colorways; one in violet/marshmallow and another in black/marshmallow. Additional shared features include Carpet Company “C Star” logos on the forefoot and outsole and Arabic text that translates to “Carpet Company Sucks” in various spots, a little self-deprecating humor from brand co-founders Ayman and Osama Abdeldayem. The capsule also includes a Skate Cab 4 of a similar design theme, clad entirely in faux leather and decorated by a red dragon graphic at the quarter.
The Carpet Company x Vans capsule will release exclusively through carpetco.us on July 25th, 2024, although the black/marshmallow Half Cab colorway will also be available at select skateshops worldwide on that date. See detailed images of all three sneakers below.
