This Vans Half Cab Collab Is Covered in Dazzling Gradient Skull Artwork From a Korean Artist

by · WWD

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OTW by Vans is the line that serves as the bleeding edge for the brand since it took over for Vault by Vans three years ago. Its output has steadily put Vans at the forefoot of many sneakerheads minds’ over that that time, and one of its most thrilling works yet is coming with a lift from a pair of artists.

The Bad Idea by Chito x OTW by Vans Half Cab employs both an abundance of colors and original work from the Korean airbrush artist Wreckpack. A gradient upper runs from orange to green with an-allover print loaded with skulls. A two-tone midsole then features elephant print in both red and purple, and the pattern-heavy treatment still doesn’t stop there. Flip the shoe over and you’ll see a translucent outsole with another gradient skull piece now in green-to-red along with the Bad Idea logo.

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That mark gets repeats on the tongue tag and insole, the latter of which also features a distorted and distinct black and white graphic. Meanwhile, the signature Half Cab patch on the lateral collar is rendered in purple and black.

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Bad Idea was created by Chito, also an airbrush specialist, as a platform to bring visuals from other artists onto wearable pieces. This marks its first time linking up with Vans, and the ethos of the program could lend itself to a diverse partnership going forward.

Among Vans’ stable of classics, the Half Cab is one of its relatively newer models. It came out in 1993 in 1992 as a successor to Steve Caballero’s first signature shoe, which was heavily inspired by basketball and catered to his vertical skating. Having noticed that skaters were cutting off the high-top for a lower cut, the partners decided to offer a mid-top right out of the box, thus the Caballero became the Half Cab.

The Bad Idea by Chito x OTW by Vans Half Cab will release Thursday through the OTW website. Pricing is set at $150.