Vans’ iconic Slip-on has seen many redesigns under collaborative projects, with 2022 seeing the upper morphed into Brain Dead’s head logo, Pilgrim Surf+Supply’s pennant patterns, and a needlepoint rework under KITH’s floral touch. Seeing the identity shifts that the 70’s silhouette had to undergo, Italian streetwear store One Block Down has decided against overhauling the slip-on with their own branding. Instead, they have chosen to honor Vans’ checkerboard design in this One Block Down x Vans Slip-on “Dog Days” collection.

Vans’ ubiquitous checkerboard look actually had humble DIY beginnings — one of the co-founders saw that children were filling in the rubber foxing of their shoes, giving the uppers a two-tone impression. Inspired by such origins, One Block Down is hand-customising the slip-ons such that the usual Vans’ checkerboard grid is overlayed with precisely placed beads. The intricacy behind this crafting process means that a hefty 10 hours is required to complete a single shoe. And the end result is well worth it, with the cascading squares refracting off light as you glide through the skate ramps.

The hours needed to produce just one pair of this One Block Down x Vans Slip-on is the reason for its limited release. Only 107 pairs will be dropping, of which includes three colorways: yellow and black “Caution”, red and ivory “Bonfire”, green and ivory “Grass”.

The waterpark theme included in the campaign imagery is not only a superficial relation to hot summers and dog days. Rather, this is another effort by One Block Down to honor Vans’ skateboarding origins since pools were at the heart of the 70’s skate subculture. Southern Californian youths would hop into the pools of unsuspecting citizens, making their mark through carved letters.

This One Block Down x Vans Slip-on “Dog Days” collection will be made available on 29 July, 9 AM CET (3PM SGT). Each pair retails for €200,00 (~US$205). The first 10 orders will also be rewarded with a limited edition towel created for this project.

ICYMI, check out Jeff Staple’s Pigeon that has landed on the Reebok Instapump Fury.