This season, OTW by Vans joins forces with UNDERCOVER to deliver a collaboration that blends Vans’ iconic silhouettes with the avant-garde spirit of Jun Takahashi. A union of West Coast skate culture with Japanese underground edge. This drop celebrates artistry in all of its unconventional forms, with designs that nod to the surreal imagination of Josep Baqué, the collaboration anchors itself in the idea that creativity knows no boundaries.
The Old Skool 36 & Era 95
The OTW x UNDERCOVER Old Skool 36 pays tribute to the hauntingly beautiful drawings of Josep Baqué, a self-taught Catalan artist who has spent his life illustrating an entire universe of imaginary creatures. Each pair is adorned with prints by Baqué’s bestiary, his fantastical monsters are rendered in exquisite details, capturing a sense of wonder that feels unsettling, yet playful.
Meanwhile, the Era 95 arrives embroidered with Jack Rissel Terriers, hand-sketched by Jun Takahashi himself. The detail may appear understated at first, yet it perfectly embodies UNDERCOVER’s design ethos and spirit the brand thrives for. It feels personal, mischievous, and deeply symbolic. The silhouettes both reflect Takahashi’s world, a place where chaos and control come together and storytelling is brought to life in every stitch.
The Lost Bestiary of Josep Baqué
Born in 1895, Baqué lived an unassuming life as a municipal police officer, while privately constructing an extraordinary body of work. Between the 1930s and 1960s, he created over 1500 intricate illustrations depicting hybrid beings, humans fused with insects, fish, reptiles and birds, all painted meticulously in ink, gouache, and metallic pigment.
Categorised into nine thematic groups and stored in a handmade case, his archive remained unseen until decades after his death in 1967. It wasn’t until 2007, when the Collège de ‘Pataphysique revealed a selection of 160 drawings, that Baquè’s genius came to light. His universe, once hidden away from the world, now informs this collaboration.
About Both Brands
OTW By Vans is the most forward-thinking expression of the Vans brand, OTW celebrates skateboarding’s influence on culture and design. Through collaborations with global crestives across fashion, art and entertainment, the brand pushes boundaries, and challenges perceptions of what Vans can do. On the other side of this collaboration is UNDERCOVER, a Japanese brand founded in 1990 by Jun Takahashi. UNDERCOVER began in Tokyo’s underground scene before ascending to Paris Fashion Week. The label is known to fuse punk energy with intellectual depth, drawing on subculture, music and rebellion to express a vision of finding beauty in chaos.
Release Information
The OTW by Vans x UNDERCOVER collection launches on 29 October 2025 via vans.com/otw, with pricing set at $120 / $135 usd.
