Summary
- SZA just debuted her first Vans sneakers at Paris Fashion Week
- Five one-of-one pairs have been embellished by gemstones in collaboration with Rachel Goatley
- Both the Authentic 44 and Old Skool 36 are featured, however, no pair is ever expected to reach retail shelves
The SZA x Vans era is here. After being named the skate brand’s artistic director last August, the beloved artist has pulled up to Paris Fashion Week in her first pair of “VanSZA” sneakers. Designed specifically for fashion’s biggest stage, SZA wore the Authentic 44 “Ladybug Garden” to Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton FW26 menswear show. This one-of-a-kind take on the classic silhouette sees it embellished with gemstones by Rachel Goatley.
Four additional one-of-one pairs by Goatley are in SZA’s rotation for PFW. Another Authentic 44 offers a “Temperature Ctrl” colorway that sees a navy base adorned with everything from blue sapphire to yellow citrine and garnet gemstones. From there, the Old Skool 36 stands out in three distinct presentations: a green “Enchanted Forest” with malachite and amethyst, a black “Radiance” that pairs diamond with opal, and a taupe “Camo / Earth” which features chocolate diamond, emerald, pearl, moonstone, and more. All five sneakers are equipped with special lace charms, aglets, and a “VanSZA” dubrae.
None of these pairs are said to be releasing to the public. However, we now have an idea of the shared creative vision between SZA and Vans as we look forward to their first collaborative collection. Keep an eye out for updates as the two are set to hold a special community signing and product giveaway in Paris later this week.
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