Vans partners with Awake NY for footwear collab

By

Robin Driver

Published
Oct 12, 2021

Californian skate brand Vans has teamed up with Awake NY, the New York-based streetwear label founded by former Supreme brand director Angelo Baque, to launch a collaborative collection reimagining the Classic Sk8-Hi.

 
The Vans x Awake NY Sk8-Hi collection includes three unique colorways of the iconic hi-top Vans shoe: pink/black, green/blue and blue/red. All three feature Batik swatches, using a wax-resistant dye and a digitally printed checkerboard pattern, which give the sneakers a worn-in look.
 
Edge-painted side stripes, a subtly debossed Awake NY logo and classic Vans touches, such as white jazz stripes, suede toe boxes and white vulcanized midsoles, complete the shoes, which are priced at $90 a pair.

Vans and Awake NY are joining forces with Foot Locker and its incubator platform, Greenhouse, for the collection’s launch. The collaboration is also being promoted with a lookbook starring recording artist, designer and Griselda Records founder Westside Gunn, which was shot by Shaniqua 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,” said Baque in a release. “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.”

 
Launched by Baque in 2012, Awake NY has built a global following with its unique New York street spirit. The brand’s previous collaborators have included Asics, Reebok and Moncler.
 
The Vans x Awake NY Sk8-Hi collection is available at Awake NY starting October 15, and will launch exclusively on Greenhouse on October 20, then at Foot Locker on October 22.