When a retailer can be more than just a space to buy products, you know they’ve done their job correctly. Look at Better Gift Shop, the Toronto-based retailer and brand, who from the outside looks like a typical tourist trap, yet creates a sense of community through collaborations with local artists and designers. Now, crossing the southern border and heading to California, Better Gift Shop is once again teaming up with Vans on a collaborative pack that includes the Style 36 VLT and Half Cab VLT.
Each silhouette comes inspired by local buildings with the Style 36 taking on the color palette of the brands storefront while the Half Cab is inspired by one of their neighbors, Hong Luck Kung Fu Club. Starting with the Style 36, forest green suede covers the majority of the sneakers upper with accenting white hits visible on the toebox, eyestays, and lace set. This accenting touch continues back on the heel as well as on the iconic side stripe Vans is famous for. Underfoot, a white rubber midsole gets paired with a clear semi-translucent rubber outsole that features artwork of Better Gift Shop’s storefront in Toronto.
Over on the Half Cab, as previously mentioned, Gift Shop’s neighbor Hong Luck Kung Fu Club comes to life with deep shades of burgundy and pewter taking over the suede upper. Typical details remain on the sneaker with Half Cab branding found on the tongue and along the collar while textiles near the collar and midfoot accent the suede with its grey shade. Rounding out the design is a black rubber midsole paired with the same style outsole as the Style 36, though this pair comes with a graphic of the Kung Fu Club’s storefront.
The Better Gift Shop x Vans Collection is slated to release in 2022 through Better Gift Shop, Vans, and select retailers online and in-store. Coming in men’s sizing, the retail price is TBA. Keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest happenings in sneakers, streetwear, and more.
Images via Vans
Better Gift Shop x Vans Style 36 VLT
Better Gift Shop x Vans Half Cab VLT
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
