COSTA MESA, Calif. — January 13, 2022 — This spring, Vans reunites with Lower East Side, NY designer Sandy Liang for a third footwear and apparel collaboration. Inspired by the ‘90s and childhood nostalgia, Sandy Liang has once again placed her signature stamp on some of Vans’ most iconic footwear and apparel pieces. Looking to elevate beloved styles, this head-to-toe collection reflects the designer’s deeply personal connection to New York City.

With passions spanning fashion, film, architecture and concept design, Sandy Liang personifies the creative expression that is synonymous with Vans. Liang uses grandma fashion, sport femme, nostalgia, and humor as her guiding design principles for the footwear and apparel assortment. This season’s footwear lineup features four Classic footwear styles. The Sk8-Hi Platform 2.0 showcases a delicate, all-over rose embroidered canvas upper while the Style 73 DX takes retro inspiration of the Sidestripe and a floral embroidery on one side of the uppers and “Lower East Side Lover” on the other side.

Vans’ original deck shoe, the Authentic 44 DX receives multi-colored gingham fabric makeover and a lace collar and a detachable pouch on the tongue. Sandy Liang helps Vans to debut a brand-new silhouette, the Sk8-Hi Tapered Modular, a hi-top with a deconstructed slim collar that has novelty lace trim and a removable outsole unit so that the style can be transformed to be worn with or without the outsole.

Key looks from the apparel assortment include the Vans x Sandy Liang Chore Coat in cotton canvas with all-over embroidery, patch pockets, and a corduroy collar for a new take on a workwear staple. The Vans x Sandy Liang Hoodie is a heavy weight, French terry with a relaxed fit and custom screen-printed details that pairs perfectly with the Authentic Chino, a twill pant that has been updated to include novelty embroidery at the back pocket, interior waistband and at the bottom of the leg cuff so it can peek out when the pants are rolled up.

Accessories like the Vans x Sandy Liang bucket hat in cotton canvas with daisy embroidery around the brim, the Vans x Sandy Liang crossbody bag uses nylon and is the perfect companion to carry your water bottle while you’re on the go. Sandy Liang brought her quintessential fleece design to the Vans collection with an all-over printed Sherpa mock neck jacket along with a matching Sherpa crossbody that has the multi-color floral and butterfly Sherpa on one side and a quilted nylon back panel on the other.

Sandy opted for intentionally ironic graphics for both footwear and apparel. The Authentic 44 DX is a digitally printed replica of a shoe that Sandy customized herself with scribbles of happy butterflies that carry through to a matching short sleeve tee, pullover and crossbody bag. The beloved Half Cab 33 DX has been transformed with green Sherpa uppers and a custom flower eyelet.

Posted: January 14, 2022

Source: Vans, A VF Company

BEAVERTON, Ore. — January 13, 2022 — One of kids’ most magical attributes is spontaneity — when they get the urge to run, jump and dance, it’s gotta happen right now.

Nike’s new Dynamo Go and Play Pack collection is out to help that spontaneous play happen quickly and easily, harnessing the brand’s goal to make play a lifestyle for kids. The shoe and apparel line are made with the same innovative FlyEase technology that was developed using insights from the disability community, and they include kid-inspired features and playful touches that guarantee our youngest athletes can play whenever, however they want.

The Needs

“Make getting shoes on easier and faster” — that’s the No. 1 thing Kevin Dodson, Global Vice President for Kids Footwear Product, hears from the hundreds of Nike kid shoe testers and their parents and caregivers. “Anyone who’s spent time with kids knows that when they can pull on their own shoes quickly and easily, it gives them confidence and a feeling of empowerment, and that gets them moving more,” Dodson said. Kids and parents tell Nike designers that, in addition to autonomy, they want a shoe that’s lightweight, with a great fit and a grippy sole that can handle any kind of movement. “Kids aren’t saying, ‘Okay, it’s time to go switch my shoes now. They’re going from activity to activity to activity, and we know our products need to stand up to that spectrum of use,” Dodson said.

Erasing any struggle to get gear on and off is paramount for kids apparel too, says Jermaine Younger, senior director, Nike Kids Product, and especially for those in the disability community for whom a tricky zipper or series of buttons can create real barriers. Using feedback from Nike’s dedicated Consumer Insights team, which conducts focus groups and panels with kids and caregivers worldwide, Younger says the kids apparel team heard four key asks: Make it fast and simple to get products on; incorporate one-handed functionality; provide secure pocket storage; and make the apparel work for kids with disabilities too.

The Solutions

After listening to kids’ and parents’ shoe and apparel needs, Nike created the new Dynamo Go for little kids and Play Pack collection of tops, jackets, hoodies and pants for big kids.

The Results

“Watching the wear-test videos, you see preschool-aged kids pop on the Dynamo Go, and there’s this moment of pure joy and pride, like, ‘I did it myself this time!’” Dodson said. That’s an emotion he saw firsthand after bringing home a test pair of Gos for his 3-year-old daughter a few months ago. “I told her the shoes were just for her to try, and she stepped into them herself and took off ripping around the house. She told me they were ‘super cool’ and ‘beautiful,’ and when I asked for them back, she gave me a firm ‘no.’ It took two pieces of chocolate, one for each shoe, to wrestle them away.”

“You see preschool-aged kids pop on the Dynamo Go, and there’s this moment of pure joy and pride, like, ‘I did it myself this time!’” Dodson noted.

For the Play Pack line, the positive feedback Younger’s heard from athletes in the disability community and their caregivers proves that design for all benefits all. “These innovations are relevant to any kid who just wants to pull their pants and shirts on themselves and get out the door to play quicker. If we can make that experience easier, everybody wins,” Younger said.

That innovative, accessible design will carry through and expand in future kids shoe and apparel releases for athletes of all abilities, Dodson and Younger say, creating gear that complements Nike’s push to invite the next generation into sport.

“This is just the beginning of the solutions we can create,” Dodson said. “I think in the near future we’ll be known for being true leaders in easy-on, easy-off footwear and apparel.”

Posted: January 14, 2022

Source: NIKE Inc.

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — January 13, 2022 — Adventure-ready brand Roark and global denim icon Wrangler® have partnered to release the Wrangler x Roark ‘Out of Range’ collection, a collaboration that captures the courageous and adventurous spirit of the west. The Wrangler x Roark Out of Range collection offers adventure ready, premium men’s apparel that blends the ruggedness of western wear with the durability and legacy of Wrangler construction.

The limited-edition drop, spans from high quality denim to waxed canvas, organic cotton and wool blended flannels, sustainable components that exemplify the shared passion of the outdoors and the epic adventures that weave both brands together.

“With 75 years as an American cultural icon grounded in the heritage of the West, our products are tough enough for a life well-lived and defined by moments of bravery and adventure,” said Holly Wheeler, vice president of global brand marketing at Wrangler. “A fundamental part of the western lifestyle is time spent outdoors, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with Roark during the holiday season to provide high-quality product for people who enjoy embracing the outdoors.”

The collaboration comes on the heels of Roark’s most recent campaign, The Great Escape, where the brand team spent two weeks exploring The Continental Divide as the first domestic adventure in its portfolio of international exploration. To put the ‘Out of Range’ Collection to the test, Roark brought its multi-faceted crew of surfers, adventurers and ranchers to the dusty backwoods of New Mexico along the historic Continental Divide Trail. Off the grid for over a week, the Roark crew explored the backroads of New Mexico by way of horseback and dirt bikes to connect to the landmark exploration celebrated in Western storytelling.

“Our partnership with Wrangler was born out of a desire to celebrate the American West and deliver a collection that paid homage to classic Wrangler styles with a modern aesthetic twist in line with Roark’s sense of style,” said Ryan Hitzel, Founder & CEO of Roark. “We’re very excited to share an authentic take on elevated western workwear and the amazing journey we had on the Continental Divide via horseback and motorcycle.”

Posted: January 14, 2022

Source: Wrangler®, a Kontoor Brands brand