Los Angeles-based companies Vans and Kids of Immigrants are launching their first sneaker collaboration. Working off of a white version of Vans new Lowland CC silhouette, each of the 400 pairs included in the drop was hand distressed.
“The shoe material didn’t distress straight from the factory like we wanted it to look so we took it in,” Buezo said. “It was five to six days of working 10 hours a day. That process of touching every product and seeing it go forward is huge.”
The shoes are accompanied by a paint brush and sand paper (shown above) for the owner to further customize if so desired. In addition to the sneaker, the drop will also include a Kids of Immigrants hoodie, t-shirt and bucket hat.
Reflecting the ethos of Kids of Immigrants, a brand founded by first-generation Americans Daniel Buezo and Weleh Dennis in 2016, the launch celebrates the the immigrant community, the working class and all people living on the margin.
Underscoring the collaboration, Vans is donating $5,000 to A New Way of Life, a non-profit that helps women get back on their feet after they’ve been released from prison. As well, Kids of Immigrants will partner with the non-profit to build a community garden at a location in Los Angeles housing eight women.
Priced at $100, the shoe will first be released on October 2, 2020 on Greenhouse, a Foot Locker-owned app, plus Foot Locker’s online stores, its location in Compton, Los Angeles and kidsofimmigrants.us.
