Legendary skate brand Vans and super cool guy Awake NY have teamed up for a bi-coastal collaboration made up of three takes on the Classic Sk8-Hi shoe. Combining Vans’ classic laid-back California cool with Awake NY’s New York City roots, the Vans x Awake NY collaboration is the perfect mix. Arriving in a pink/black, green/blue, and blue/red colourway, each features Batik swatches, which use a wax-resistant dye and a digitally printed checkerboard pattern, providing a worn-in look right out of the box. Edge-painted side stripes add a nuanced detail and are complemented by Awake NY’s logo subtly debossed on the shoe’s lateral forefoot. Classic Vans details like a white jazz stripe on the quarters, suede toe boxes, and white vulcanized midsoles finalize each look.
The Vans x Awake NY Sk8-Hi collection is also spotlighted in a special lookbook starring recording artist, designer, and Griselda Records founder Westside Gunn. The lookbook was shot by storied photographer Shaniqwa Jarvis.
“It’s exciting that Awake NY can serve as a conduit between the East and West Coasts. A partner like Vans truly complements us, and vice versa,” Awake NY founder Angelo Baque said. “As with all our collaborations, the community is the foundation. We’re looking forward to working with Fresh Youth Initiatives, and Children of Promise, NY. With the power of Vans, Greenhouse, and Foot Locker behind us, we’re truly able to make a difference.”
The Vans x Awake NY Sk8-Hi collection will be available beginning October 15 at Awake NY and exclusively on Greenhouse October 20 and will be available for purchase exclusively at Foot Locker on October 22.