SZA Taps in with Nature for Her First VANSZA Collection

Published October 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM

Quick Facts

On the sneaker side, the Knu Skool Mule is a classic black and white skate shoe with a monochrome black upper, a white Vans logo stripe on the side to match the white midsole and laces, with a puffy tongue and open back slip-on style
The Authentic is white tattered canvas with fish graphics across the upper with distressing to match the fold-down heel
The VANSZA Collection Drop 1 will be released October 22, 2026

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When SZA was announced as a Creative Director at Vans, the reaction from inside the sneaker community was mostly one of confusion, but in the year since she took on the role, Vans has exploded in popularity. Okay, so Vans’ bejeweled hype isn’t likely due to SZA’s influence, but the superstar artist has brought her own pricey gems to pairs of canvas classics, fitting right in with the SoCal skate brand’s new look success.

SZA Goes Fishing

The VANSZA Drop 1 features two pairs from her debut collection, an open-back Knu Skool Mule and an Authentic Kickdown, with a heel that’s meant to be stepped down and converted into its own mule style. In addition to the shoes, the first VANSZA drop features a clothing collection featuring leafy camo and paint-splattered khaki.

On the sneaker side, the Knu Skool Mule is a classic black and white skate shoe with a monochrome black upper, a white Vans logo stripe on the side to match the white midsole and laces, with a puffy tongue and open back slip-on style. The Authentic is white tattered canvas with fish graphics across the upper with distressing to match the fold-down heel.

“I love a mule and I love a slide-on. So I needed everything to be slide-on-able. My mom has been telling me, ‘Please stop stepping on the back of your shoes’ my whole life,” SZA says. “She hates it. So I put the design aspect in my shoes. I created a step-down shoe, and then I took the whole back off the Knu Skool because, why not? Less effort. More fun. More accessibility. More comfort. More color.”

VANSZA Drop 1 Release Info

The VANSZA Collection Drop 1 will be released October 22, 2026 through Vans and select retailers online and in-store. Ahead of the launch, SZA will be making special in-store appearances at Vans Glendale Galleria in California on October 17, and at Foot Locker at Freehold Raceway Mall in New Jersey on October 21. For all the latest SZA x Vans news and drop info, download the Sole Retriever App.