Visual Artist Klincewicz Transforms Vans Archive Pieces
Vans has tapped visual artist Julian Klincewicz for a limited collaboration that breathes new life into two foundational silhouettes from the brand’s archives. The partnership centers on reimagined versions of the Old Skool 36 and Style 31, both receiving Klincewicz’s distinctive artistic treatment.
The collaboration marks another step in Vans’ ongoing strategy of partnering with creatives who bring fresh perspectives to established designs.
Klincewicz, known for his work across photography, film, and visual arts, applies his aesthetic sensibilities to these classic skateboarding silhouettes that have remained largely unchanged since their original releases decades ago.
Archive Silhouettes Get Contemporary Treatment
The Old Skool 36 and Style 31 represent different eras in Vans’ design evolution, with the Old Skool 36 building on the iconic Old Skool template that debuted in 1977. The Style 31, meanwhile, draws from an even earlier period in the brand’s catalog. Both models maintain their core structural elements while incorporating Klincewicz’s artistic vision through updated colorways, materials, and graphic elements.
Klincewicz’s approach focuses on subtle modifications rather than dramatic overhauls. The artist has maintained the essential DNA of each silhouette while introducing contemporary touches that reflect his personal aesthetic language. This balance between preservation and innovation has become a hallmark of successful Vans collaborations in recent years.
The choice of these particular models reflects Vans’ commitment to mining its extensive archive for collaboration opportunities. Both silhouettes offer clean canvases for artistic interpretation while retaining the functional elements that made them skateboarding staples. The Old Skool 36’s side stripe and the Style 31’s minimalist profile provide distinct starting points for Klincewicz’s creative process.
Artist Brings Multidisciplinary Background to Footwear
Klincewicz’s background spans multiple creative disciplines, from documentary photography to music video direction. His work often explores themes of youth culture, community, and authentic expression-concepts that align naturally with Vans’ brand identity and skateboarding heritage.
The collaboration represents Klincewicz’s first major footwear project, though his visual work has appeared across fashion, music, and art contexts. His approach to the Vans partnership draws from this diverse creative foundation, applying techniques and sensibilities developed across different mediums to the specific challenges of sneaker design. The result bridges his artistic practice with Vans’ functional footwear requirements.
Previous Vans artist collaborations have included partnerships with photographers, painters, and graphic designers, each bringing distinct perspectives to classic silhouettes. Klincewicz joins this lineage while offering his own unique interpretation of how visual artistry can enhance functional design. His multidisciplinary background allows for approaches that might not occur to designers working exclusively within footwear contexts.
The release timeline and specific design details for both models remain under wraps, though the collaboration follows Vans’ established pattern of rolling out artist partnerships through select retail channels before wider availability. Will this artistic interpretation of archive models inspire other brands to revisit their own forgotten silhouettes with contemporary creative partnerships?
