Vault by Vans taps New Jersey born and raised designer, Imran Potato, for a six-piece footwear collection. Imran has built his creative identity by subverting fashion with humor in all that he does. Motivated to inspire others that nothing is impossible, Imran has found himself at the crossroads of disruption and design.
For his debut Vault by Vans collection, Imran helps to reissue the KNU SKOOL VR3 LX, a model that pays homage to the early ‘90s skate-inspired footwear silhouette the brand first debuted in 1998 and later re-released via Vans Japan exclusively. For its latest iteration, Imran has taken the oversized DNA and further exaggerated its design specs to include all-over suede uppers with contrast stitching along with a quintessential 3D Sidestripe that protrudes from the quarter-panel.
The KNU SKOOL has been updated with an overstuffed tongue, thick cotton laces and a custom printed Potato waffle sole. Available in three colorways including classic Black, and two all-over cheetah prints available in asphalt/black and golden glow/Bombay brown.
To modernize the KNU SKOOL, the shoe’s suede panels are sourced from a top-rated LWG tannery for environmental responsibility. The silhouette is also a part of Vans VR3, representing the brands journey towards 100% regenerative, responsibly sourced renewable and recycled materials for the brands top four materials by 2030. The silhouette is also equipped with an EVA foam EcoCush™ footbed derived partially from sugarcane and an EcoWaffle™ rubber outsole that was obtained from sources that follow proven sustainable practices with the intention of reducing impacts on the planet.
“The KNU SKOOL is the best sneaker silhouette of all time. It’s the shoe I always wanted but couldn’t get because of its mystery—the ultimate unattainable eBay shoe,” said Imran. “The Vault team literally opened the vault for me, and I can’t thank them enough for that. This collaboration is a dream come true, and my most important work to date.”
To coincide with the Vault by Vans collection Imran Potato will release his next installment of limited apparel and goods via imranpotato.com.
The Vault by Vans x Imran Potato collection will be available on imranpotato.com beginning May 18, 2022, and at select Vault by Vans retailers beginning May 21, 2022. For more information, and where to purchase, please visit The Drop List, a calendar of Vans’ most exclusive product drops.
ABOUT VAULT BY VANS
Vault by Vans offers a diverse line-up of elevated and premium collections
representing the intersection of fashion, art, and music — featuring the brand’s most iconic silhouettes.
Each season, the category presents designs and collaborations with partners who represent pinnacle creative culture, offered in select retailers only.
