OTW by Vans, a dedicated space for Vans to intersect with innovators who propel culture forward, announces its collaboration with renowned Dutch artist Piet Parra.
For this collaboration, Parra revisits a shoe that he has a longstanding personal connection with: the Vans Half Cab. Para became a professional skateboarder in the early 1990s when he was sponsored by Vans in the Netherlands. His go-to shoe for skating was, and remains, the Vans Half Cab, making this collaboration in 2024 not only his return to Vans, but also his skateboarding roots.
The OTW by Vans x Piet Parra Suede Half Cab is a vibrant twist on the classic shoe, featuring contrasting premium suede panels in Parra's signature color palette. The overlapping undulating cutouts distort the lines of the original Half Cab® and are in keeping with Parra's fluid and eye-catching creative language seen in his artwork. Co-Branded footbeds in the shoe feature a call to action from Parra, for those who might be distracted by the stylish appearance of the sneaker: “Don't forget to skate in these!”
Parra says of the collaboration: “The Half Cab is my favorite skate shoe. An instant classic embraced by the most skilled and stylish skaters of the time. I’ve skated through dozens of pairs in every incredible colorway. I wanted to honor the original design while adding a personal touch. As the suede version has always been my favorite, I went with that material and added custom-shaped panels to give them an organic feel, aligning with the aesthetics of my artwork and drawings. The colors were chosen to complement this vision. It feels like a full-circle moment.”
For the campaign starring Vans Team Rider Curren Caples, Vans and Parra revisited the 1989 skate documentary video Ban This, a favorite of Parra’s, which features a memorable part by Steve Caballero, who the Half Cab is named after.
The OTW by Vans x Piet Parra Suede Half Cab is launching Wednesday, September 25th.
In-store via raffle. Please visit our Pacific Place location to enter the raffle.
Online via web raffle. Enter below.
About OTW by Vans
OTW by Vans is the most aspirational expression of Vans rooted in celebrating skateboarding’s impact on culture. OTW by Vans pushes the boundaries of product design and brand experiences with innovators from skateboarding, art, fashion, design, and entertainment. OTW by Vans products are sold through a curated selection of global wholesale partners and at otw.vans.com .
About Piet Parra
Dutch artist Piet Parra (1976) is best known for his surreal bird-like characters and distinctive use of saturated colors. His early work explored vibrant hand-drawn letters and humor. In recent years, his work has evolved into gorgeously layered abstract interpretations of his core figures. Celebrated by galleries and championed by a devout underground following, Parra has become a respected multimedia artist through solo exhibitions spanning Asia, the United States, and Europe. Working across large scale public sculpture, painting, drawing and textile work, Parra creates an enigmatic and instantly recognizable style that defies easy categorization. His work is in the public collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Parra is co-founder of cult apparel label ByParra and a member of music group Le Le and MICH. Parra Lives and works in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
