[dreadnatty]

INTERVIEW: MURAKAMI X VANS SUMMER SHOE COLLECTION




The following is an excerpt from our July, 2015 issue featuring Takashi Murakami. Subscribe and get it for free.

When you walk into the studio of Takashi Murakami on the outskirts of Tokyo, there is a meticulously arranged lineup of shoes that belong to the staff in the building. As is customary, visitors remove their shoes and wear a pair of sandals provided for them. To the left of the entryway, you are struck by a dozen or so pairs of classic, eggshell white Vans Slip-Ons. The owner of these is obvious: Murakami has a very particular taste.

Murakami has long been the pioneer of fine art’s relationship with commercial and fashion work, and on June 27, Vault by Vans and Murakami will release a special collection of Slip-Ons for adults and kids. The collection will be celebrated with a special launch in Paris during men's fashion week, a city home to one of Murakami’s long-standing representing galleries, Galerie Perrotin. We spoke to Vans Footwear Designer, Taka Hayashi, on the scale of the collaboration, skull and flowers, and bringing Murakami into the Vans family.

Juxtapoz: Tell us a little bit about your relationship with Murakami's art? Where have you seen it, what do you like about it, and what are some memorable experiences you have had with it?
Taka Hayashi: I first saw Murakami’s art in person years ago in San Francisco while at SFMOMA. I found his canvas painting titled Super Nova very compelling and I was drawn to it. Its large scale, vibrant colors and interesting illustrations were very intriguing and inspiring.

We all know that Murakami is an iconic artist, world famous. How did you get word that Murakami likes to wear white Slip-On Vans all the time?
Stephen Mills, Vice President of Global Design & Merchandising at Vans, introduced the design team to Takashi about a year ago here at the US headquarters. Since the beginning, Takashi has been excited to collaborate with the brand and in his first meeting with the team, he revealed that his favorite sneakers are Vans Slip-Ons.

Were there specific ideas and icons that you and Murakami wanted to explore with the shoe collection?
Takashi was very directional in the creation of the Vans x Murakami collaboration; he wanted to bring his coveted smiling flower and skull artwork to his favorite Vans silhouette. The final product is something both parties are proud to present.

Vans has a long history of working with artists—Robert Williams in the past and Zio Ziegler recently, but what does Takashi bring to Vans? How special is this project for you guys, and what sort of release will it see?
Working with Takashi on this project was very special for us; his world-renowned, anime-inspired Superflat aesthetic brings a unique artistic perspective to our iconic Classic Slip-On. Every artist Vans works with brings something special to the table, and each one makes their own distinctive mark in Vans' history of design.

The Vans x Murakami collaboration will feature limited edition Slip-Ons, apparel and skateboard decks. June 27, 2015 is the global release date and we will feature the collection in high-end boutiques including Opening Ceremony, Dover Street Market and The Vans DQM General.

For more information about Vault by Vans, visit vans.com/vault

[Dexter Bulldog]

v cool..
you think people will wear this or just "collect" ?

[dreadnatty]

Jun 16, 2015 19:06:05 GMT 1 Dexter Bulldog said:

v cool..
you think people will wear this or just "collect" ?

Not sure. I'll def be wearing(T-shirt and Shoes)

[trees]

I think the real question is , " will these flip?" In all seriousness, I probably wouldn't wear the collection (too flashy). Gonna be after some skate decks though. Any idea on prices and how many will be released ?

[Dexter Bulldog]

www.openingceremony.us/products.asp?menuid=2&designerid=2261

UP NOW

[Dibbs 45]

Looks like sold out

[Dexter Bulldog]

Jun 27, 2015 7:12:42 GMT 1 Dibbs 45 said:

Looks like sold out

Indeed.  They were evaporating like crazy last night. It was like trying to check out for in demand concert tix. Tried to alert people as there was still a lot left at the time of my post but looks like it's down to just the blue pair of children's in a few random sizes. 

[Paname]

i want the skate decks

[Dibbs 45]

Apparently skate decks sold out already. So fast didn't even see them.

[Paname]

in france, only 3 shops for this released ..

[Dexter Bulldog]

I had a chance to buy a skate deck but had no clue how one displays them? Kinda feeling like I dropped the ball. How does one display them?

[avec art]

You could of worked that out afterwards

[Dexter Bulldog]

Jun 27, 2015 15:01:32 GMT 1 avec art said:

You could of worked that out afterwards

It was late and I already carted what I originally wanted and was thinking what am I gonna do with a skate deck. Felt bad buying it just to buy it but probably someone else did to put on eBay ha

[CREAM]

Wish I saw this last night would have loved a deck. Didn't think they would be online.

[trees]

Went to Opening Ceremony this morning to try and score some decks. I got there a few mins after 11 and there was already a huge line.  I heard most stores that had decks only got a few, so chances of getting them were pretty slim, unless you camped out.  I wish I would've seen that link last night.  On the upside, was able to score some shoes for the wife and baby.  Also saw Ron English painting at Zummiez afterwards.  If anyone wants to sell a skulls deck, let me know

[avec art]

Personally as an ex skater I kinda feel like a deck needs wheels and should be ridden, not perched on a wall or sat motionless in a perspex box ... however, I doubt many of these will be making the pavement / sidewalk.

[Rsyok]

There's some shoes up on collette .fr if of interest.

Decks are good for the retail but tbh with secondary prices if rather have a signed & numbered Murakami print.

[Deleted]

Queued at a couple of shops this morning with the Nike Air lads but the decks were sold out. Oh well.

[Rubys]

I wanted the decks bad but sadly miss the boat

[Dexter Bulldog]

Anyone want to trade a pair of murakami vans?
i have the mulitcolored rainbow flowers in a us men's size 12 and looking to trade for the blue flowers or maybe one of the skulls..

[Dexter Bulldog]

Selling a piar of murakami vans- silver flower, mens, US size 11.5.  Never worn/tried on/taken out of the box

Can meet in nyc or drop in the post
$125 plus shipping

pm me if interested