Vans has teamed up with pro skateboarder Beatrice Domond to unveil the Mary Jane DS under its OTW by Vans label. Rooted in footwear this collaboration serves as a a personal tribute to Domond’s Haitian heritage and the journey from her hometown of Miami, Florida, to New York City.
The OTW Mary Jane DS features a chunky silhouette with a rugged statement outsole and a premium leather and suede upper in monochromatic black, complete with goatskin linings. The shoe is filled with meaningful details: The sockliner features a digitally printed map of Haiti, paying homage to Domond’s lineage, while the packaging draws inspiration from retro Vans skate boxes, accented with her signature and custom logo.
To bring the story to life, Domond co-directed a short documentary-style film with director Sandy Kim and her partner, Z Inwoon. The film captures heartfelt conversations between Domond and her grandmother, Elise, speaking in Creole and Domond responding in English. Together, they recount Beatrice’s childhood in Miami, her perseverance through challenges, and her rise to becoming a trailblazer in skateboarding and style. The film celebrates family, resilience, and the women who inspired Domond to achieve her dreams.
In a press about the release Domond shares, “For this project I wanted to show my community another side of me, I don’t think anyone really knows I have Haitian ancestry. It’s also to pay homage to my grandma and mother because this shoe is a really big deal for me – if it wasn’t for them, I don’t believe I would be having such amazing opportunities.”
Priced at $140, OTW by Vans and Beatrice Domond’s Mary Jane DS will launch on December 19, 2024, exclusively at otw.vans.com
