Vans OTW works with Julian Klincewicz in a new collection fashioned by Happy Choirthe artist’s world of daily sketches, textures, personal symbols and Southern California memory. In an exclusive chat with DSCENE magazine editor Katarina DoricKlincewicz discusses the phrase behind the project, his first references to San Diego, and his first collaboration with OTW. The contemporary artist, filmmaker, photographer and musician brings his visual language to two archival Vans silhouettes, apparel and accessories, continuing his relationship with the brand through his fourth footwear project with Vans.
The collection opens through the footwear, revisiting it Old Skool 36 and Style 31 with suede overlays, leather detailing and custom tags featuring a street sketch from Klincewicz’s 11-year ritual of daily to-do list designs. Both models also include a custom Roo charm, created in honor of the Golden Retriever and Red Fox lab mix. The Old Skool 36 comes in Ivy Green and Mango Mojito Orange, while the Style 31 comes in Ink.
Joyous Chorus feels personal, communal and slightly unruly as a phrase. What gave you the starting point for this collaboration?
“Ah, thanks for that! The starting point was kind of two-fold. I was thinking about the phrase just before I started this collection – it was a response to an earlier display called ‘Solo Tumult’, which was a book of pictures and text. choir.” As the OTW by Vans collection began to take shape – really inspired by the early 2000s San Diego and my experience moving there from Chicago as a kid – I found that the idea of the “happy choir” really matched my memories of that time – lots of new friends, inspirations, communities – all of which made for a very full and fun life in Southern California.
This reference to San Diego in the early 2000s runs through the collection’s color, texture and worn demeanor. Klincewicz looks at skating, the circus, music, new friendships, the sun and the beach, drawing on childhood memories of long days at the skatepark. He imagined the pieces already broken, marked by use, weather, skating and personal marks. Each shoe style features a soft sole, cushioned soft collar, Sola Foam ADC, Joyous Chorus homogenous outsole, OTW heel scabbard and Vans Waffle outsole. Updates support pieces made to gain character through wear.
Clothing and accessories extend the same language through grounded materials and handcrafted artwork. THE Fleece with collar comes in a French cotton blend with a soft vintage wash and a zip pull Roo keychain. Vintage washed t-shirts in Tangerine Red and Pepper Orange feature Joyous Chorus screen-printed artwork, while the Carpenter’s pants uses durable canvas, pleated pockets, custom rivets and contrast stitching. THE Tote bag adds antique brass hardware, screen-printed artwork and Roo keychains, while the Fuzzy Sock Pack brings jacquard artwork to a must-have wool blend.
This is your fourth footwear project with Vans and your first with OTW. What did you feel different this time and what did this collection allow you to say now?
“I know – I’m still so excited to be working with Vans on so many collections. In a way, this one didn’t feel that different from the others. I think each collection has been a very personal statement of what captures my imagination at a given moment or something I’m thinking about. This is definitely the first time I’ve explored Southern California inspiration in a way, although I feel that as a former Vans from California, the brand and I have a lot in common in terms of history and culture in Skating, Music and Art.I’m also very excited to bring back Style31, which I think is truly a forgotten classic for the whole OTW team.
The return of the Style 31 gives the collection one of its strongest archival moments, placing a less prominent Vans silhouette within Klincewicz’s personal memory system. Alongside the Old Skool 36, the model connects the project to Vans history while maintaining a focus on living objects, daily rituals and Southern California as a creative source. The OTW by Vans x Julian Klincewicz collection will be available on May 15th online.
