The void left in pop culture by David Bowie’s passing has been sorely felt since that fateful day on January 10, 2016, and Vans is proving his legacy will continue trekking on thanks to a collaborative set of sneakers designed to resemble his iconic glam rock persona in all its flashy glory.
Four of the brand’s signature models, including the Slip-On 47 V DX, Sk8-Hi, Era and fan-favorite Old Skool, each take on a theme from one of Bowie’s classic albums. The Slip-On pays tribute to the 1971 album cover Hunky Dory, recreating Bowie’s checkered shirt via a furry toe box and heel counter, in addition to his golden locks on the quarter side panel. For the Sk8-Hi, while the lightening stripe on the side panel may call to mind the unforgettable Ziggy Stardust era, the textured black & white colorway overall actually reminds us more of his 1976 Station to Station LP, down to the red accents lining up with the red block lettering of the album title itself. The Old Skool is where you really get the Stardust treatment, specifically the 1973 Aladdin Sane album’s classic red & blue thunder bolt decal. Things come full circle with the Era, which takes us back to his 1969 self-titled sophomore album — not to be confused with his first self-titled debut album that dropped two years prior. Most fans refer to the album by its 1972 reissued titled Space Oddity anyway, and this iteration borrows the OG cover’s blue & green polka dot design. Each one does a good job at capturing the legendary artist’s many musical phases, and the only problem we see fans having with this collection is which one to cop first.
The Vans x David Bowie Tribute Collection is expected to arrive beginning April 5 through select Vans retailers and online, where you can now sign up for official updates. Take a look at each design below:
