We first showed you the incredible Vans Syndicate designed by our homie Luke Meier back in the summer. With the release of a new navy colorway this Black Friday exclusively for Supreme and the complimentary film directed by Kahlil Joseph, I thought it was time to get some insight from the guy who is the leading force behind Supreme's collaborative footwear.
It feels like yesterday when me, Luke, and Chris would bullshit at Union about sneakers and other monotonous shit that we love. The more things change, the more they stay the same... I'll keep it brief because I really only like to look at pictures too...
How did the relationship start with Vans & Supreme?
"Berto Liechty from Syndicate and Supreme LA approached me about designing a new model for Syndicate. I'd known him for a while through mutual friends and work, and I'd also known the Vans crew from some of the Supreme and Vans projects."
Is there a reference point for the sneakers?
The general reference point is traditional shoemaking shapes within Vans technique. More specifically, some of the details are ideas I'd had for a while, and I finally got to put them to use. Some were inspired by luxury leather goods and others by vintage skate shoes.
Can you talk about the design process?
The shoe design was based on the destruction of shoes when skateboarding. I wanted to use luxurious materials and tried to give it a high-quality overall feel with the idea that it will be destroyed when it's put to its intended use. Specifically I put the leather accents in spots where they will get the most abuse.
Are they meant to be skate in or worn for style?
Because they are Vans Syndicate they were made with the intention of being a good skate shoe first and foremost. If people like to just wear them for the style, even better.
What are your thoughts on the current state of sneaker culture and design?
I think it's cool that people who were into sneakers have started looking outside of the usual brands and have embraced all kinds of footwear. Obviously these days people are paying a lot more attention to traditional brands like Alden and Red Wing, and most people now even understand what Goodyear welt construction is. However, everything goes through phases. At the end of the day if the product is good it's good, whether it's a sneaker or a wingtip brogue, and people will gravitate towards it. A company like Vans offers products that will always remain in style, at times to a greater or lesser degree. I hope that my project can be seen as something that fits into the tradition that Vans has perpetuated.
Can you talk about the incredible film directed by Kahlil Joseph that accompanies the sneaker release?
When I asked Kahlil if he would make a film to support this project, I explained the concept to him, and he was into it. He far exceeded my expectations and I think he made an amazing film. The piece is very much his vision, and is actually the first work he has done that incorporates skateboarding. I think that the film reflects the aesthetic of the entire project in a natural way, and I'm honored that he and his team worked so hard in its realization. Chris Gibbs who co-produced the film also helped out a lot, as he's always someone who adds great perspective and influence.
For more info about the Destroy Luxury project and to watch the film hit the link below...
Diggin' this collabo!
Posted by: Rad Vans | Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 12:18 PM
thanks for doing that interview with Luke, I'd been wanting to hear more from him on these shoes since they originally came out.
Posted by: Andrew | Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 12:51 PM
Insightful! Great collaboration.
Posted by: Josh | Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 04:42 PM
good read. thank you
Posted by: vincent | Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 06:24 PM
Cool pair. Enjoying your blog and especially the Test Shots. Ignore the haters! Have a great holiday season.
Posted by: PatagoniaCommunity | Friday, November 26, 2010 at 02:21 PM
Here has on-line http://www.cheapsunglassesmall.com sunglasses wholesale house.
Price preferential benefit, fine quality.
Quickly rushes to purchase the http://www.cheapsunglassesmall.com cheap sunglasses!
Posted by: sunglasses wholesale | Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 07:26 AM
I gave my site a few examples below. If you appreciate my comments in you enter.Baseball Hats
Posted by: Baseball Hats | Sunday, December 05, 2010 at 10:29 PM
Great! I anticipate its adverse that Digitech's Papereyes Capture and PaperFlow were not amountd or acknowledgmented. Why is that? Capture ables in account agencys use this artefact and it appearances up #1 in the controlling appointment analysis anytimey year
Posted by: karen millen dresses | Friday, December 17, 2010 at 01:53 AM
I think posts on how to organize and maintain shoes are an interesting idea, specially because you know so much about it.
Posted by: Dc shoes | Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 02:25 AM
It feels like yesterday when me, Luke, and Chris would bullshit at Union about sneakers and other monotonous shit that we love. The more things change, the more they stay the same... I'll keep it brief because I really only like to look at pictures too... http://www.mbtfootwearusa.com/
Posted by: mbt shoes | Friday, March 18, 2011 at 03:50 AM
Ah .... good web site, what I'm looking for information, thank you for sharing webmaster.
Posted by: Discount Mbts | Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 10:51 PM
Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: replica watches | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 01:15 AM
NICE POST
Posted by: Low Carbon Steels | Monday, July 25, 2011 at 04:22 AM
I’ll be really curious about what you think of the pizzas then! Enjoy and keep me posted.
http://www.northfacecheapest.org/
http://www.northface-buy.org/
http://www.northfaceshop.org/
http://www.clnewshop.org/
http://www.monclersalejacket.org/
Posted by: Moncler Sale | Monday, August 08, 2011 at 01:35 AM
Both countries have been having high level talks on the fishermen issue as the matter threatened to damage relations between India and Sri Lanka.The Sri Lankan navy said that at the staff level meeting in Colombo both countries will also share views on preventive measures to curb potential threats of drug trafficking, arms and human smuggling.The Indian navy delegation is led by Rear Admiral P Murugesan, the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation) of the Indian Navy, while the Sri Lankan navy delegation is led by Rear Admiral Jayantha Perera, the Director General Operations of the Sri Lanka navy.
Posted by: rolex daytona | Thursday, September 08, 2011 at 04:14 AM
At the networks I wandered. By chance after your web site, read your post. Very fruitful, thank you for sharing. On the Internet, it is hard to find useful information. Thank you.
http://www.uggsdesign.com/
http://www.timberland21s.com/
http://www.cheapsuprashoes2u.org/
http://www.fashionmusciman.com/
http://www.freenewman.com/
Posted by: bailey button triplet | Friday, September 23, 2011 at 12:02 AM
If Enterprise is afoot, wealth accumulates whatever may be happening to Thrift; and if Enterprise is asleep, wealth decays, whatever Thrift may be doing.
Posted by: Replica Omega | Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 11:33 PM
Love it those were the days when britain ruled the waves :) good share.s
Posted by: fake handbags | Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 04:43 AM
Our bracelets measure exactly what the circumfrence is with the buckle closed. After you measure your wrist with a string, round up to the next size bracelet we have. So if your wrist measures 7.25 inches, then get the 8 inch bracelet size.
Posted by: Visit Site | Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 11:02 PM
HuntTough Outdoor Products provides highly discounted prices while providing fanatical customer service to all of our patrons
Posted by: Hunting Gear | Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 03:37 AM
The musical Once scooped eight Tonys,includinghttp://www.coachbagsonlineso1.com Coach Factory Outlet best musical direction and best lead actor in a musical.Corden fought back his emotions as he picked up his award, paying
tribute to his girlfriend Julia, who gave birth to the couple'shttp://www.louisvuittonbagshopsky.com Louis Vuitton Bags son five days before rehearsals for the show began.He said he was "overwhelmed" at being nominated alongside such
highly-regarded actors, saying: "To be on a list with you was enough and holding this, it honestly just http://www.coachoutletshop2u.net Coach Factory Outlet reminds me that there is no such thing as best."
Backstage, he described his competition - Philiphttp://www.coachbags-sales1.org Coach Factory Outlet Seymour Hoffman, John Lithgow, Frank Langella and James Earl Jones - "as four of the http://www.coachoutletonlinels.com Coach Outlet finest actors alive".
Richard Bean's comedy also won best featured actor in a play for Tom Eddenhttp://www.coachoutletonlinemg.net Coach Factory Outlet Online and best music in a play.Corden beat Philip Seymour Hoffman in the revivalhttp://www.guccisbeltsoutlet.net Gucci Belts of Arthur Miller's Death of
a Salesman and Kevin Spacey in Richard III to win his award.
Other triple winners included Miller's drama, which won best revival and besthttp://www.hermesbeltsoutlets.org Gucci Belts director in the play categories, and the Gershwin-inspired Nice Work If Youhttp://www.louisvuittonbeltsoutleting.net Mens Belts Can Get It, which won
two acting awards and best book of a musical.
Stephen Sondheim musical Follies also picked up three awards for besthttp://www.coachoutletonlinele.com Coach Factory Online musical revival, costume design and best actor in a musical for Danny Burstein.
"I am only one of 12 actors in our play - without any of them it just wouldn't work.http://www.coachsonlinefactoryr.net Coach Outlet Being onstage with them is a joy," he said at the awards ceremony.
Other British success came from Tracie Bennett, who picked up the award for best actress in a play for her portrayal of Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow.
While Nina Raine's Olivier-nominated work Tribes, which began at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 2010, won the outstanding play category.
Irish actor Cillian Murphy also picked up the prize for best solo http://www.coachfactoryonlinees.org Coach Outlet Online performance for his work in Enda Walsh's Misterman, which opened at the Galway Arts Festival last summer before
transferring to New York and the National Theatre in London.Gucci Belts
Posted by: Gucci Belts | Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 04:26 AM
Red bottom shoes for your funct http://juicycouturediaper.xfnt.com every day and [url=juicycouturediaper.xfnt.com]Juicy Couture Diaper Bag[/url]ions ar http://coachoutletonline.hitml.com now is go take [url=coachoutletonline.hitml.com]coach outlet[/url]e a absurd advantage for http://raybanpascher.hitml.com So many times [url=raybanpascher.hitml.com]Ray Ban pas cher[/url] the http://pandoracanada.hitml.com group that already [url=pandoracanada.hitml.com]Pandora Canada[/url] help http://coachoutletstore.xfnt.com to get in [url=coachoutletstore.xfnt.com]Coach Outlet[/url]mate that http://mbtschuhe.xfnt.com and you about [url=mbtschuhe.xfnt.com]MBT Schuhe Günstig[/url]wa http://oakleyuk.xfnt.com take care of [url=oakleyuk.xfnt.com]Oakley UK[/url]nts to ap http://raybanbrillen.hitml.com when they leave [url=raybanbrillen.hitml.com]Ray Ban sonnenbrille[/url]pearance off her m http://coachfactory.hitml.com this time in [url=coachfactory.hitml.com]Coach Factory Outlet Online[/url]arriage
Posted by: Coach Outlet Online | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 09:51 PM
Famous Culture Hit, along with this lady started to be typically the parent or guardian
Posted by: air max 1 | Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 01:05 AM