Vans

Knu Skool Shoe

Background

The latest addition to the Vans repertoire is a reissue of the footwear company’s Knu Skool skate shoe, inspired by the Vans classic Old Skool shoe. 

Vans launched the style this month alongside a global campaign as the Costa Mesa company looks to effect a turnaround of its business.

“Consumers are ready and wanting us to show up in a fresh yet authentic way,” Vans Vice President of Global Creative Rob Teague said in a statement. “This campaign is a bold swing at stopping people in their tracks, forcing reconsideration and injecting a renewed energy for our brand. It connects the dots between what our brand values, and the iconic products we make that have represented that ethos for decades. It’s something larger and more holistic than we’ve done as a brand in the past.” 

The “This is Off the Wall” campaign creative touts the individual styles of skaters Beatrice Domond, Felipe Nunes and Cocona Hiraka; designer Irene Kim; rapper Little Simz; music director and Yeti co-founder Arthur Bray; and poet Salome Agbaroji. 

Vans parent VF Corp., in its most recent financial update, said Vans revenue in the quarter ended Dec. 31 fell 9 percent, excluding the impact of exchange rates. The Americas region was a drag on the overall results for Vans in the quarter. Meanwhile, the European and Asian, excluding greater China, markets saw sales up during the same period. 

The brand’s revenue for the fiscal year ended in March is expected to be down in the high-single digits, which was revised in February from a previous forecast of down in the mid-single digits. 

Details

Styles: 3 colorways in black/white, navy/white and all black

Retail: $75