Vans

Using Vans’ iconic silhouettes as a vehicle for storytelling, this series treats each shoe as a canvas for memory, culture, and layered reference points. Personal in origin but broader in perspective, the work draws from family history, found artifacts, music, automotive nostalgia, and skate heritage to create objects that feel both familiar and reimagined. More than product, each concept is designed to carry narrative, emotion, and a distinct point of view. Vans_Long Haul: One weekend, I was at the park with my daughter in West Hollywood when a beautifully kept baby-blue Porsche 912 caught our attention. What stayed with me most was not just the car itself, but the beaded seat covers inside, a small nostalgic detail that made it feel more human, approachable, and lived-in. After digging deeper, I learned those covers were rooted in utility, famously used by cab drivers and long-haul truckers for airflow and comfort during long hours on the road. That tension between function and charm became the creative spark: I paired the idea with Vans’ archival Style 29, a silhouette that carried a similar duality, then merged the wood-bead reference with Vans’ iconic checkerboard language to create something that felt both familiar and reimagined. Vans_Keepsakes A reflection on the quiet, formative influence of my grandmother, whose creativity, curiosity, and care shaped the way I see design. Inspired by the handmade objects, rituals, and memories that filled her world, the concept explores how everyday keepsakes can carry deep emotional weight. It’s a tribute to the idea that the most meaningful design often begins with intention, craft, and a personal point of view.