London, UK. (March 6, 2025) – Vans is proud to present the next chapter of the Premium Old Skool Music Collection featuring trailblazing artist and Vans Ambassador, Little Simz and Vans EMEA skater, Helena Long. The campaign celebrates the timeless legacy and profound impact of the iconic silhouette across music and skateboarding. Fusing heritage with innovation, the Premium Old Skool Music Collection continues to inspire the next generation of cultural trailblazers, driving the evolution of style, comfort and self-expression.

First released in 1977, the Style 36—aka the Old Skool™—was the second skate shoe Vans ever made, and the first to feature the iconic Sidestripe™ that solidified Vans’ visual connector for generations to come. Designed by and for the pioneers of skateboarding, the Old Skool became an icon beyond the world of skate—particularly in underground music scenes. Today, Vans celebrates this unending connection with the Premium Old Skool Music Collection, featuring three unique capsules inspired by the Old Skool in different eras and genres of music.

Filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa during a visit for her headline House of Vans show, Little Simz and Helena shot the campaign with close friend and collaborator of Simz; Fenn O’Meally. Returning to the musical sphere last week with her new single “Flood”- Little Simz has been part of the Vans family officially since 2023 and in that time released her own Customs collection of Slip-Ons, featured in multiple campaigns and played the House of Vans stage in South Africa. The Old Skool Checkerboard worn by Little Simz in the campaign is designed to honor non-conformity and the spirit of pushing boundaries that has defined the Old Skool since its inception.

Reconsidered by way of refined materials and modern construction, the Vans Premium Old Skool Build evolves the icon with enhanced cushioning, improved fit and archival design details. The updated silhouette has a more seamless fit and 30% biobased Sola Foam ADC insoles for all-day cushioning and improved comfort. The Premium Build also includes glossy sidewalls, higher foxing tape and throwback branding, sharing many design details of ‘90s-era Vans footwear.

For the wider campaign, Vans tapped into musicians who embody raw emotion and passion through music, including The Paranoyds, Voice of Baceprot and HiTech. These crews shape cultural narratives through their creative endeavors and uplift the “Off The Wall” mindset with the Old Skool on their feet.

The Premium Old Skool Music Collection (Checkerboard) drops on March 6 at Vans retail locations and at Vans.eu.