Gallery Dept., the art-meets-streetwear brand founded by Josué Thomas, is reconnecting with Vans for a follow-up to their popular 2023 collaborations.
For the first time, the collaboration will adopt Gallery Dept.’s signature paint-splattered aesthetic, covering the iconic Vans Authentic 44 model in a custom look that will differ from pair to pair.
The hand-painted Gallery Dept. x Vans Authentic sneakers are inspired by a painter’s studio and bear the markings of a pair that’s been lovingly worn while creating. In addition to the black and multicolored paint that’s speckled across the toe area, each shoe features a pre-distressed midsole with grease marks and a repeating print of Gallery Dept.’s signature “Art That Kills” motto.
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“The serial reproduction is a new approach for me, but at its core, it’s still the same idea — art that moves transforms, and when it is worn, it becomes part of the wearer’s story,” Thomas said in a press release.
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Gallery Dept. and Vans first collaborated in ’23 on a distressed Old Skool sneaker. That was followed later that year by a five-sneaker Gallery Dept. x Vans Rowley XLT collection. The Los Angeles-based brand has also released coveted collaborations with Asics.
This latest collaboration will be released under the OTW by Vans sub-label. Introduced in 2023 at Paris Men’s Fashion Week, OTW by Vans includes premium collaborations and reinterpretations of the brand’s classic silhouettes. It replaced the VF Corporation-owned brand’s Vault by Vans line.
Given their hand-painted nature, it’s safe to assume the Gallery Dept. x Vans Authentic 44 will be quite limited. The collaboration is priced at $150 and will be released March 27 from otw.vans.com. In store, the sneakers can be found from select OTW by Vans and Gallery Dept. stockists.