Vans has always been more than just a skate brand. It’s a cultural cornerstone pushing skateboarding and sports forward as an open canvas for creative rebels, bold thinkers, and expressive athletes. In 2025, the legacy continues with “New Future,” a bold reinterpretation of the Premium Old Skool™ silhouette brought to life by four next-generation visionaries: Cocona Hiraki, Efron Danzig, Karina Rozunko, and Tania Cruz. This is a celebration of individuality. Each athlete has reimagined the iconic Old Skool™ in a way that reflects their roots, their craft, and their personal style. The result? A collection that’s playful, punk, expressive.
Reimagining a Classic: The Premium Old Skool™
Originally released in 1977 as Style 36, the Old Skool™ was the first Vans sneaker to feature the now-famous Sidestripe™, an accidental doodle turned brand icon. With “New Future,” Vans honours that tradition of self-expression and evolution, updating the model through a fashion-forward, athlete-driven lens. This collection marks a shift from uniformity to storytelling, every pair speaks. Whether it’s through textures, asymmetry, hardware, or heritage, these designs go beyond trend to tap into something timeless: identity.
Four Athletes. Four Stories. Four Designs.
Each collaborator in the “New Future” campaign didn’t just design a shoe, they told a story of themselves into wearable form.
👟 Cocona Hiraki – Available July 17, 2025
At just 15, Cocona Hiraki made Olympic history in skateboarding. Now, she brings the same fearless energy to her Old Skool design. Inspired by her Japanese roots and creative hobbies like crafting and friendship bracelets, her pair features custom Sidestripe charms that dangle playfully with each step. “With skateboarding, no one person is the same. Each person has a different style.” – Cocona Hiraki Her design celebrates individuality and the joy of movement, feminine, fun, and unapologetically personal.
👟 Karina Rozunko & Tania Cruz – Available September 4, 2025
Karina Rozunko grew up surfing and skating in San Clemente, California. Her Old Skool features an asymmetrical wrap upper, metal hardware, and a vintage-inspired color palette, melding her love for thrifted fashion with modern flair. “Whatever you own, you can look amazing if you’re just rocking it.” – Karina Rozunko. Tania Cruz, who reps Barcelona and the global skate community, designed her pair with her crew in mind. Drawing from punk, hip-hop, and street culture, her Old Skool feels collective rather than individual, an ode to sisterhood and shared style. “We have to wear our scars with pride because they make us unique, strong, and different.” – Tania Cruz. Together, their releases feel like a visual conversation, two perspectives, one global message.
👟 Efron Danzig – Available September 10, 2025
Model, skater, and creative Efron Danzig blurs the line between runway and street. His Old Skool is all around drama, punk attitude, DIY energy, and a nod to Marie Antoinette decadence. “A skate shoe version of punk, Marie Antoinette, and my friends’ fashion? That would be sick.” – Efron Danzig. Bold & irreverent, Efron’s pair might be the most fashion-forward Vans drop of the year. It’s certainly a statement piece.
A Collection That Looks Ahead
“New Future” is a mission. It proves that the next chapter of skate and streetwear will be led by those who aren’t afraid to blur boundaries, speak their truths, and represent where they come from. With its mix of premium construction, personal storytelling, and cultural relevance, this collection reminds us what Vans does best: give creators the tools to go off script. Its a bold start to an even larger roll out!
Release Details
- Cocona Hiraki Premium Old Skool™ – July 17, 2025
- Karina Rozunko & Tania Cruz Premium Old Skool™ – September 4, 2025
- Efron Danzig Premium Old Skool™ – September 10, 2025
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a sneakerhead, a skater, or someone who simply appreciates self-expression in design, the “New Future” Old Skool™ lineup is a refreshing step forward for Vans. It honors the brand’s roots while redefining what it means to be classic. In a market flooded with sameness, this collection feels like exactly what it claims to be, a new future.
