Andrew Rizzo First introduced earlier this year, Vans’ dedicated Off The Wall (OTW) sub-division continues to shine a light on smaller, upcoming brands through collaborative footwear. Its next joint effort calls in LA-based streetwear label SATOSHI NAKAMOTO for an embellished take on the Old Skool, marrying two SoCal institutions in one stroke.
Drawing from skate culture and vintage Americana aesthetics, NAKAMOTO’s Old Skool comes decorated by pearl and crystal studs along the sidestripe, toe box, tongue, and heel. The base of the shoe consists of olive-colored canvas, while the eyelet strips and toe/heel structures appear in black suede. Leather maroon sock lining and black leather insoles add a premium feel, while a distressed midsole presents a somewhat vintage vibe in lockstep with the overarching theme. The tongue hosts handwritten SATOSHI NAKAMOTO typography, and the shoes come with two sets of laces; a dirtied-up black and white pair with repetitive branding and a shaggy maroon set.
SATOSHI NAKAMOTO gained its footing in the fashion scene by independently customizing and selling Old Skools to the public, and that’s essentially the story told by their first official collaboration with the brand. The handwritten text that appears throughout the shoe lends a bit of a nostalgic vibe, harkening back to the days when skaters would undertake DIY customization projects by simply taking ink to canvas. Also consider the pearl and crystal studding and the shoes are perfectly tailored to the “California Cowboy” aesthetic that’s only gotten more popular in recent years.
The SATOSHI NAKAMOTO x OTW by Vans Old Skool releases August 8th exclusively through satoshinakamoto.cloud, although neither party has floated price info at the time of this writing. See detailed images of the shoes below and tap our Sneaker Release Dates page to browse other upcoming drops.
