VANS QUIETLY DROPPING A PROPER SNEAKER COLLABORATION WITH THE GALLERY DEPT.

 First, it was announced that Gallery Dept. was closing, then its founder Josué Thomas announced the launch of a sort of resort, and finally, it was revealed that Gallery Dept. was actually not closing but rather building a new store in Miami. which one is it?!

The only thing that is certain is that Gallery Dept. will continue to exist because it will soon release its first sneaker collaboration. An OG Old Skool LX that is heavy on deconstruction and short on subtlety is being released by Gallery Dept. in collaboration with Vans.

The Gallery Dept. x Vans collaboration, which Thomas first previewed on Instagram, modifies some of the Old Skool's classic elements. The toecaps are color-blocked, the Jazz Stripe is fuzzed, the midsole is scratched, and the phrase "ART THAT KILLS" is stitched on the heels.

According to the press release, the newspaper-like print on the shoes' uppers, branded laces, and midsoles was inspired by "punk show flyers," which is made more evident by the graphic mention of the hardcore band Earth Crisis. It has an impact on the DIY vibe that permeates the entire Gallery Dept.

The Vans Old Skool from Gallery Dept. debuts on May 12 at flagship locations in Miami and Los Angeles and on May 13 online for $150, making it one of the most reasonably priced drops in the company's history.

On May 19, the shoes will be available for purchase on Vault by Vans and the Vans website.

The Vans collaboration from Gallery Dept. was initially spotted in a leaked image shared on social media in January 2023. The release date for the sneakers was rumored to be May 2023, which turned out to be correct.

Thomas appeared to corroborate the rumors at the moment by reposting Highsnobiety's Instagram post about the sneakers.

It's also important to note that, although though I'm referring to these Vans as Gallery Dept.'s first official sneaker partnership, the company did also work on a larger range of Lanvin shoes. Conversely, the Vans sneakers owned by Gallery Dept. are unique.