Most fashion collaborations tend to be a limited edition, one-off event; some however are so good, they deserve a second roll-out.
Such is the nature of the full-floral partnership between Californian skatewear company Vans and French luxury fashion house Kenzo, which first debuted back in 2013 and is set to return for a second instalment next week.
Dropping on June 17, the collection is the first release from Kenzo’s new creative director Felipe Oliveira Baptista, who took over from Carol Lim and Humberto Leon (now at Opening Ceremony) in July 2019, and features three styles of Vans’ Hi-Sk8 and Old-Skool sneakers daubed from tongue to tread in Kenzo’s signature florals.
To accompany the shoes, Baptista has also designed a 46-piece unisex ready-to-wear collection of denim jackets, hoodies, logo t-shirts and sweatpants. A summery Cali skate park uniform of sorts.
Speaking to WWD, Baptista said the sneaker prints are archival floral patterns from Kenzo that were repurposed for the apparel collection he described as a “dynamic, youthful wardrobe.”
He added: “The Vans collaboration is a very Californian wardrobe inspired by the world of skateboarding, some bleached basics/essentials from which all jerseys are in organic cotton.”
The star piece in the collection is a limited edition Kenzo skateboard, made in partnership with The Skateroom, the profits of which will be donated to a social project aimed at helping young Jamaicans in need.
Kenzo x Vans launches in stores and online on June 17.
