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Alessandro Michele’s Fall/Winter collection at Valentino Le Méta Théâtre Des Intimités in March undeniably turned heads, and for more than one reason. The Maison’s collaboration with Vans stood out in particular against the theatrical, maximalist and Lynchian backdrop of the collection. There’s something undeniably surprising, yet pleasing about seeing Valentino’s couture vocabulary lean into the low-slung, utterly familiar Vans aesthetic.
Built on the original Vans Authentic silhouette from 1966, the shoes keep the durable canvas upper, the low-top profile and the rubber waffle outsole that made the model an everyday icon. Michele’s touch arrives in the colourways, the playful patterns and the co-branded insoles that proudly announce this creative handshake. One edition sees the Valentino Le Chat de la Maison motif, which will be offered exclusively through Valentino boutiques, Valentino.com and the Vans flagship store on Oxford Street in London.
The Vans checkerboard motif is reimagined through Valentino’s VLogo Signature, turning the packaging box into a little artefact of the collaboration. There are six variations offered for both women and men, each one an invitation to wear heritage in a less formal register. Trust us when we say these trainers bring Valentino’s eccentricity to an already much-loved staple.
For those in the Middle East, make a note. Level Shoes are carrying the collection at its Valentino boutique, and levelshoes.com are offering it online. For the rest of the world, the collaboration will drop on September 19 at Valentino.com.
