Multi-talented artist Julian Klincewicz once again join forces with Vans to create one of a kind, summer-driven collection stamped with the Vault by Vans branding.
With a multi-dimensional approach, the collection takes direct inspiration from idyllic pieces of Klincewicz childhood world: Bike rides to the ice cream store, swimming in Lake Michigan, playing hide-and-seek in the dune grass, or sitting around bonfires at night to watch the summer meteor showers…. Eating traditional Polish snacks in the mid-day heat, early evenings playing soccer in the grass compound…
The collection is a celebration of the summer spirit – of t-shirts meant to be worn ten times over, a pair of soccer shorts for every occasion, of a single pair of shoes that starts new in May, and by September are beaten down with a summer’s worth of adventures. These adventures and this spirit of childhood & community – are the central point of reference for the artist’s third collaboration with Vault by Vans.
"The items are meant to be made individual by the owner, they’re simply pieces to facilitate experiences."
“This collection for me is really inspired by the world I experienced in Michigan. It is inspired by the feeling, the memories, the spirit it represents,” said Julian. “I tried to approach each piece of footwear and apparel with a kind of humility and practicality in mind, as well as the idea of time. What would I want to wear there? How will it change? How does something like a shoe gain value as it deteriorates? Through the memories you make while wearing them.”
“My collection is meant to be worn and worn down, the suedes are meant to fade from bright to muted, from vivid to sun-bleached shades, and the shirts are meant to have their sleeves cut and rolled because it’s so hot and humid. The idea with having a large-scale poem on the back of a shirt – is that it could be read on the beach between moments of rest and play. The items are meant to be made individual by the owner - They’re meant to be tools for a summer spent running, playing, adventuring – they’re simply pieces to facilitate experiences.
"“Pure imagination” for me is really about childhood, when you're a kid everything is magical place and you're just lost in your own world."
Each piece from the Vault by Vans x Julian Klincewicz footwear and apparel assortment was designed with intention and purpose. Julian tapped into his early career aspirations of becoming a shoe designer, summer experiences in Michigan, and the lifecycle of shoes worn throughout an entire summer to develop his designs. He landed on two central themes that carry throughout the collection: “PURE IMAGINATION”, which represents his childlike optimism built on a world of imagination and “PALE FIRE SKY”, which represents the energy of the more angsty teenage years.
The Vault by Vans footwear offering includes three jewel-toned hairy suede executions of the OG Style 31 LX complete with black contract stitching, laces, and an all-black outsole. “PURE IMAGINATION” is printed in gold foil along each quarter.
Two executions of the OG Authentic SP LX, each with hairy suede uppers, drawcord inspired laces, a marshmallow outsole and siped outsole with “PALE FIRE SKY” printed in gold along the side. The Vault by Vans branding was updated to include a rainbow layered heel scab at the backs of each shoe that when worn with time, reveal a new, different color.
"Pure Michigan" exhibition
To give an additional experience and deeper feeling of Julian’s teenage Michigan memories, the launch of the new collection was accompanied by unique exhibition at the Spazio Maiocchi in Milan.
Beside pieces of the collection, the show contained Julian’s art, like poems inspired by childhood summer experience and photographies which was taken at the beaches of Michigan lake.
With great pleasure, we’ve accept invitation to Milan received from the Vans Vault crew. During the trip to the “city of fashion”, we’ve sat with Julian to talk about the collection, his inspirations and his childhood memories.