That’s right – Undercoverx OTW by Vans is back, and this time, Jun Takahashi is bringing something wild. Not loud colors or flashy logos. Think creatures that don’t exist anywhere else. These creatures were born from the mind of Josep Baqué, a Catalan artist who spent decades drawing beasts that no one asked for – and that’s what makes them perfect.
Baqué never chased fame. He worked alone, filling sketchbooks with inked hybrids – part bird, part gear, part man – all stitched together with quiet genius. His work remained hidden until 2007. Now, Takahashi drapes those drawings across classic Vans Old Skools. Black pairs. White pairs. Each panel features a different creature. No two pairs tell the same tale.
Then there’s the Era. Simpler. Softer. They are covered in tiny embroidered sketches of Takahashi’s Jack Russell terrier. Yes, he drew his own dog. They stitched every line onto suede. You don’t see that often. That kind of personal touch? It sticks with you.
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The drop date is October 29th. You can purchase them at vans.com/otw. The Era costs $120. The Old Skool is $135. Are they worth it? If you care about where design meets soul, then absolutely. These aren’t just sneakers. They’re conversation starters. They’re museum pieces you can walk in.
Takahashi doesn’t follow trends. He unearths forgotten brilliance and gives it new life – literally. Baqué’s art was meant for walls. Now, it lives on feet. That shift? That’s the magic here. You’re not just buying a sneaker. You’re carrying a fragment of someone’s private universe.
Keep your eyes open. These won’t sit on the shelves for long.
