HOW VANDYTHEPINK SECUREDSALOMON'S FIRST-EVER COLLABWITH A KOREAN BRAND

Sneaker News: Before we get into the shoes, can you quickly introduce yourself?
 
VANDYTHEPINK: I’m Vandy, also known as Junghoon, the founder of VANDYTHEPINK. I launched my brand in 2017, and its identity is deeply rooted in my personal journey. Born in Korea, I spent the first 17 years of my life there before moving to the United States, where I’ve lived for the past 17 years.
 
My brand blends Korean and American cultures—just like my own life. I’ve always been inspired by the playfulness and boldness of American billboards and the vibrant energy of American food culture. This fascination is the foundation of my work and remains my biggest source of inspiration.

Let’s talk about burgers. Where did this obsession with burgers and fries come from?
 
When I moved to the States from Korea, the way food was marketed really caught my attention. In Korea, the marketing for burgers back then was completely different—more subtle and less bold compared to the in-your-face, vibrant ads in the U.S.
 
The striking visuals and the way American burgers were displayed fascinated me, and it left a lasting impression. It made me want to try them, and over time, I grew to love them.
 
VANDYTHEPINK’s journey in sneakers began with customizing, which eventually led to the brand making its own footwear, and eventually collaborations with world-renowned brands. What are some of the moments that really accelerated the process?
 
Yes, I’ve always enjoyed working with sneakers—whether it’s collecting them or customizing them. Sneakers have always been a creative outlet for me, and of course, I’ve always had a deep love for burgers. As my brand grew, I started thinking about how I could combine burgers and streetwear in a way that felt unique to my vision. I’ve created an original burger character named ‘Buggy,’ and one day it hit me—what if I could mix Buggy with shoes and apparel?
 
The idea of combining my two favorite things felt like the perfect way to take Vandythepink in a new direction. As I leaned more into this original concept, I started moving away from just customizations and began following my imagination, letting my vision shape what I wanted things to look like. That’s when I really thought, ‘I might have something here.’ I’m grateful that my audience embraced this creative shift, and their support has been a huge part of where I am today.

How did the conversations with Salomon first begin? How did the dots connect to eventually lead to a collaborative project?
 
Salomon has been one of my favorite brands for a while, and I started noticing collaborations with brands I admire, like Hidden NY, L’artdel, and Margiela. That really sparked the idea for me. So I reached out to my contact at Salomon, I was thoroughly honored and honestly shocked that I was already on their radar and they were interested in working with me. I’m super grateful for the opportunity, and it’s been such a fun and rewarding experience bringing this collaboration to life.
 
The design is inspired by the characteristics of a burger. I wanted to make sure the shoe was still wearable aesthetically, but also capture the main colors of a burger—like the brown of the bun, the green of the lettuce, and the rich colors of the patty. I tried to place those colors in a way that felt balanced and tasteful. As for hidden details, I included a little Easter egg on the sole of the shoe—it’s something you definitely can’t have a burger without, and it ties the theme together in a fun way.
 
Why the Speedcross 3? It’s a sophisticated trail running shoe that’s known for its comfort and reliability, no matter the terrain or conditions. I wanted to create something playful and fun for your next trail run but also be stylish enough to wear on the street. The Speedcross 3’s versatility made it the perfect foundation for this project.