This is Kith’s first Vans collab, and leave it up to them to come out strong for their initial offering. As a longtime avid sneaker collector, myself, who supported Ronnie Fieg early on during his David.Z days, it comes as no surprise that Ronnie, an enthusiast of sneakers, who keeps his ear to the street and his finger on the pulse of the current sneaker culture, would release a Vans collab of this magnitude. I mean, first off, Kith decided to bring on Japanese label Mastermind for a 3-way collection, who design some of the dopest Japan-exclusive Vans. That alone says we didn’t come to fuck around. Next, just look at the amount of details that went into each shoe. You have ultra-premium leather, sherpa linings, custom-branded lace eyelets, debossed vulcanized foxing, as well as some custom metal logos all over the entire collection. You might even say that there is too much customization going on, but I think they were going for the over-the-top first impression, agree? They also have a slightly more subtle tonal black offering as well, but even those still have the logos, branding, and customization throughout each shoe. We don’t see pricing yet, and that’s scary, because I want them all, and I know it’s going to hurt! Y’all couldn’t have just released one or two pairs, huh?! Congrats on your first Vans collab, and hopefully you do many more! (Waiting for a Salmon Toe Vans release!)
Words via Kith:
“Kith collaborates with Vans for the first time, as the brand adds to the coveted lineage of mastermind’s partnership with Vans. These tri-branded models include two Sk8-Hi Zip LX, an Old Skool LX, and an OG Classic Slip-On.
The Sk8-Hi Zip LX in black features a canvas and nubuck upper with silver hardware, while the brown model is crafted from leather with lux sherpa lining and gold hardware. This brown makeup is also applied to the Old Skool LX, while the OG Classic Slip-On is coated in a black Kith monogram pattern. All four models also have the collection’s phrase “Peace on Earth / World on Fire” debossed into the soles.”
Kith x Mastermind World releases January 18th at all Kith shops
Edit with pricing and official description from Kith on 1/17/19 at 3:56 PM PDT:
Kith x mastermind WORLD x Vans OG Classic Slip-On LX – The OG Classic Slip-On LX is executed in black makeup and features a canvas upper accented with an all-over printed Kith classic and Mastermind Skull & Crossbones logo. The nubuck quarter panels provide added style as well as the elasticated side panels. The padded collar ensures a comfortable fit as well as the quilted satin liner and custom leather inserts. Other elements include – the high rubber foxing, the reinforced toe box, the debossed World On Fire logo on the left midsole, the debossed Peace On Earth logo on the right midsole, the Vans off the wall license plate heel logo, the metal Kith classic logo on the right heel. Lastly, this model sits atop a vulcanized rubber midsole and the waffle outsole which features a printed Skeleton graphic. $125 USD.
Kith x mastermind WORLD x Vans OG Old Skool LX – The OG Old Skool LX is executed in a brown makeup and features a premium leather upper accented with a comfortable shearling liner. The V-cut tongue provides added style as well as the metal co-branded eyelets and rope laces with metal co-branded aglets. The all-over debossed Skull & Crossbones logo ensures added style as well as the stitched formstripes. Other elements include the debossed Kith and Mastermind logo on the toe box, the reinforced toe box, debossed World On Fire logo on the left midsole, debossed Peace On Earth logo on the right midsole, the Vans off the wall license plate heel logo and the Metal Skull & Crossbones on the left heel and Metal Kith classic logo on the right heel. Lastly, this model sits atop a vulcanized rubber midsole and a waffle outsole with a printed Skeleton graphic. $185 USD.
Kith x mastermind WORLD x Vans SK8-Hi Reissue Zip LX – The Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip LX model is available in black or brown color schemes. The black model features a nubuck upper accented with a quilted satin liner while the brown model features a premium leather upper accented with a shearling liner. Both models feature Off The Wall tongue tabs, custom leather inserts, high rubber foxing, a reinforced toe box, metal co-branded eyelets, rope laces, a metal Skull & Crossbones on the collar, debossed branding on the collar, formstripes, and midsole. Other elements include – the Vans off the wall license plate heel logo, rear zipper closure, a vulcanized rubber midsole, and a waffle outsole with a printed Skeleton graphic. $225 USD.
tons of pics after the jump
