One year after their last collaboration, the relationship between OTW by Vans and Piet Parra resurfaces along a different—yet fully coherent—trajectory. While the starting point back then was the Half Cab, today the focus shifts to another icon of the Vans universe: the Old Skool 36. No longer just personal memory, but a silhouette that seamlessly embodies the history of skateboarding, lifestyle, and the brand’s visual culture.
The new OTW by Vans x Parra collaboration leans less on nostalgia and more on design intent. The Old Skool 36 is reinterpreted through the Dutch artist’s visual language, made up of wavy color blocking, carefully balanced asymmetries, and a palette that remains unmistakable without feeling loud. Suede leather, layered materials, and refined finishes turn an ultra-classic shoe into an object that sits somewhere between design and function—while fully preserving its skate DNA.
Compared to the Half Cab, Parra seems to take a step back from his own personal mythology here, choosing instead to focus on a broader narrative. The message is no longer “this is my shoe,” but rather “this is a shoe that still works because it has never stopped being worn.” It’s no coincidence that perhaps the most revealing detail of the collaboration is the hidden message printed on the insoles: «Don’t forget to skate in these». A simple, almost ironic reminder that brings everything back to the starting point.
On a technical level as well, the collaboration reflects this balance between aesthetics and real-world use. Sola Foam ADC insoles, a vulcanized sole, and the classic Vans waffle outsole ensure comfort and durability, while matte foxing and custom heel reinforcements complete a construction designed to last. It’s a shoe that could easily end up in a collection, but one that is clearly made for the pavement.
Bringing it full circle, as in previous collaborations, the launch is accompanied by a self-produced video by Parra himself. Not a simple promotional asset, but a natural extension of his surreal imagination—capable of narrating the creative process and giving emotional context to the collaboration. A way of reaffirming that, even when dealing with a global icon like the Old Skool, the meeting point between Vans and Parra remains the same: skateboarding as a language, before it is ever a product.
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