ALYX, the New-York based brand founded by designer Matthew Williams, has teamed up with Vans for a special unisex SS17 collaborative collection.

This new capsule collection sees the two brands team up to reinterpret three classic Vans silhouettes, the OG Sk8-Hi, the OG Authentic, and the OG Style 3. Each available in two colour ways, these new designs incorporate signature ALYX detailing, from lighter caps to lurex laces, plus ALYX logos across shoe lace tips and tongue labels.

For the California-raised Williams, the collaboration makes perfect sense. Taking influence from his days growing up in Pismo Beach, he filters this West Coast culture into his design ethos. “California is a really interesting place, I didn’t realise it when I was growing up there, but later I realised how different it is from the rest of the world,” the designer told us in HEROINE 6. “There were all these subcultures and youth cultures that existed in California that were super-specific to South California. Like specific types of skateboarding and brands, and kinds of music.”

“I grew up as a fan of hip hop but I also really liked punk and reggae, all different stuff,” Williams added, a trait he shares with Vans; a staple wardrobe addition for many musicians, from Henry Rollins to Kanye West.