A$AP Rocky has a real penchant for collaboration projects. Throughout his career, the 32-year-old, a member of the hip-hop collective A$AP Mob, has musically collaborated with artists such as Selena Gomez, Florence Welch, Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Skrillex, and Jessie Ware. Apart from music, his collaborations have also extended to a number of significant names in the fashion industry, from Under Armour, JW Anderson, and Guess, to the cult Parisian brand Marine Serre. The rap artist is now expanding his footprint in the fashion industry through a partnership with the American sneaker label Vans. Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, revealed in an interview with American GQ earlier this year that he has worked on a project with the skate brand, explaining that he has “completely reinvented” the classic slip-on.

The slip-on is one of Vans‘ signatures: introduced in 1977, it was originally known as Style #98. Characterized by its laceless construction and elastic upper, it was chosen by professional skaters like Stacy Peralta and Tony Alva, before receiving wide recognition from personalities like Justin Bieber, Zac Efron, and Jennifer Lawrence. While little has been revealed about the Rocky-Vans collaboration, a few weeks ago the Fashion Killa rapper was photographed wearing a pair of sneakers never seen before, which industry enthusiasts with a keen eye have suggested in the Twitterverse to be part of the upcoming collection from the announced partnership. Characterized by a silhouette resembling a mule, it is an easy slip-on shoe with no heel counter unlike the OG design. Rocky’s sneakers are entirely white with a flame motif on the outer and inner sides of each shoe. He has also been spotted with another unique version of sneakers, featuring similar patterns and a unconstricted heel-free shape, as well as a turquoise and black colorway.

Following previous collaborations with Under Armour in 2018 on the SRLo design (Skate, Rave, Lo), Adidas and Jeremy Scott on the Wings sneakers in 2013, and in 2020 with Italian designer Amina Muaddi, this is his first venture with Vans. The renowned American brand, on the other hand, has already worked with a range of musicians, from the legendary rock metal heroes Iron Maiden and Slayer to Anderson Paak and David Bowie. An official release date has not been announced yet, but Rocky has revealed that the launch will be “limited.” Stay tuned.

Article sourced from GQ UK