SZA Named Vans’ First Artistic Director in Multiyear Creative Partnership

SZA has joined Vans as its first artistic director. On Thursday, the footwear company announced a multiyear creative partnership with the five-time Grammy winner.

As part of her new role as artistic director, SZA will be working closely with the company and exploring her creative talents outside of music. She will be in charge of reimagining and overseeing the brand’s upcoming campaigns and co-creating and designing exclusive production collections, which will include new pieces and shoe styles that fit with her unique and carefree style.

“In Vans, I feel free,” SZA said in a statement. “I’ve been wearing Knu Skools and other styles for years, they’ve always had an ethos I connect with. As artistic director, my mission is to show that joy, community, creativity and fashion are all still intersectional. That humanity, culture and connection are still the access points.”

“I’ve learned that bravery and curiosity are the cures for uncertainty; it’s a lifestyle, and Vans champions that spirit,” SZA said. “They stand where I stand, and I’m honored to invite a whole bunch of people to stand Off the Wall with us.”

The debut Vans and SZA campaign spotlights one of her favorite Vans footwear styles, the Knu Skool in black and white. The campaign was directed and photographed by Sophie Jones and styled by Alejandra Hernandez.

The Vans Knu Skool, originally designed in 1997, reimagined the classic Old Skool for a new generation in the late 1990s. Influenced by skateboarding design, the Knu Skool features modern restyling of the original silhouette and includes a puffed-up tongue and 3D Sidestripe, as well as chunky, oversize laces.

The Vans brand started off as a skateboarding and original action sports footwear brand in 1966, and has since aimed to inspire and empower its fans to live “Off the Wall” embodying the youthful spirit of freedom, non-conformity, and relentless drive to push culture across action sports, music, art and design. Vans are now sold in more than 100 countries and has more than 2,000 retail locations worldwide.