Vans – DIY Artist Pack

Role: Footwear Designer 
Project Type: Seasonal Collection / Concept Development
Overview

The DIY Artist Pack is a footwear collection designed for women, inspired by the creativity and tactile nature of the DIY community. The concept explores self-expression through materials, texture, and customization, transforming everyday craft elements into wearable design.

This collection bridges Vans’ heritage in individuality with a hands-on, maker-driven aesthetic, encouraging users to feel like artists in their own right.

Concept & Inspiration

The moodboard draws from a mix of craft culture and contemporary fashion, combining:

  • Quilted textiles and padded surfaces

  • Rhinestones and gem embellishments

  • Hand-finished details and stitched textures

  • Gingham and picnic-inspired prints

  • Upcycled denim with decorative treatments

These elements reflect a growing movement in DIY culture where personalization, imperfection, and tactile richness are celebrated.

Design Direction

1. Material Story
The collection focuses on materials commonly used in DIY projects:

  • Quilted fabrics inspired by handmade textiles

  • Crystal and rhinestone embellishments for customizable shine

  • Soft denim with hand-applied detailing

  • Lightweight cottons in gingham patterns

These materials are intentionally chosen to feel approachable, customizable, and expressive.

2. Color Palette
A soft yet playful palette balances craft nostalgia with modern appeal:

  • Powder blue and sky tones

  • Warm neutrals (cream, beige)

  • Pastel pinks and soft reds

  • Washed denim indigo

The palette evokes a handmade, home-crafted sensibility while remaining wearable.

3. Texture & Detail
Texture plays a central role in storytelling:

  • Diamond quilting referencing both craft and luxury

  • Stud and rhinestone placement mimicking hand embellishment

  • Layered fabrics and mixed materials for a “collaged” effect

Each design element reinforces the idea of a shoe as a canvas.

Target Audience

Women: Creative, trend-aware consumers who value personalization and unique details

The collection is designed to appeal to individuals who enjoy crafting, customization, and storytelling through style.

Product Vision

The DIY Artist Pack reimagines classic Vans silhouettes through a crafted lens:

  • Uppers treated as customizable surfaces

  • Materials layered to mimic handmade construction

  • Embellishments that feel applied, not manufactured

The goal is to create footwear that feels made, not just designed.

Key Features

  • Mixed-material uppers for a handcrafted aesthetic

  • Embellishment zones that suggest personalization

  • Soft, tactile finishes that invite touch

  • Patterns inspired by home textiles and craft culture

Outcome

The DIY Artist Pack celebrates creativity as a process rather than a final product. By incorporating familiar craft materials into footwear design, the collection encourages wearers to embrace individuality and imperfection.

It aligns with Vans’ core identity—self-expression—while introducing a fresh, material-driven narrative for women’s categories.

Vans – Bloom Street Pack

Role: Footwear Designer 
Project Type: Seasonal Collection / Concept Development
Overview

The Bloom Street Pack is a floral-driven footwear collection for women and kids, inspired by the romantic, vintage aesthetic of LoveShackFancy and reinterpreted through Vans’ streetwear lens.

This collection explores the intersection of softness and edge—bringing delicate florals, pastel tones, and vintage-inspired prints onto classic skate silhouettes. The result is a fresh expression of femininity that still feels grounded in Vans’ DNA of individuality and everyday wear.

Concept & Inspiration

The design direction is rooted in a blend of nostalgic femininity and modern street culture. Drawing from the moodboard, key influences include:

  • Vintage floral wallpaper and textile prints

  • Soft pastel storefronts and boutique environments

  • Feminine lifestyle products with ornate detailing

  • Lace, ruffles, and delicate fabric finishes

The concept reimagines these traditionally “soft” elements within a streetwear context—creating a juxtaposition between romantic visuals and functional footwear.

Design Direction

1. Print & Pattern Story
Florals are central to the collection’s identity:

  • Ditsy floral prints for an all-over vintage look

  • Statement rose patterns for hero styles

  • Mixed prints inspired by interiors (floral + stripe combinations)

  • Layered graphics that mimic fabric and upholstery

Each silhouette is treated like a textile surface, bringing an apparel-inspired approach to footwear design.

2. Color Palette
A muted, romantic palette creates a cohesive visual story:

  • Blush pink and dusty rose

  • Powder blue and soft periwinkle

  • Cream, ivory, and warm neutrals

  • Subtle hints of sage and lavender

The colors are slightly faded to evoke a sun-washed, nostalgic feel.

3. Material & Texture
Material choices enhance the vintage softness while maintaining durability:

  • Printed canvas uppers for everyday wear

  • Washed finishes for a worn-in aesthetic

  • Subtle sheen materials for elevated styles

  • Delicate stitching and trim details inspired by lacework

The balance of soft visuals and sturdy construction keeps the designs authentic to Vans.

Target Audience

  • Women: Trend-aware consumers drawn to romantic, vintage-inspired fashion with a casual, wearable edge

The collection appeals to those who want to incorporate softer styling into everyday streetwear.

Product Vision

The Bloom Street Pack reimagines classic Vans silhouettes—such as Slip-On, Old Skool, and Authentic—through a floral and lifestyle-focused lens:

  • Full-print uppers that act as statement pieces

  • Tonal details for a cohesive, elevated look

  • Coordinated styles across women’s and kids’ assortments

  • Subtle detailing that enhances rather than overwhelms the silhouette

Each shoe is designed to feel like part of a curated outfit rather than just a standalone product.

Key Features

  • Vintage-inspired floral graphics across multiple silhouettes

  • Soft, cohesive pastel color story

  • Feminine detailing integrated into classic skate forms

  • Versatile designs that transition between casual and styled looks

Outcome

The Bloom Street Pack expands Vans’ visual language by introducing a softer, more romantic aesthetic while staying true to its core identity. By merging floral storytelling with iconic silhouettes, the collection creates a unique offering within the women’s and kids’ space.

It positions Vans within a more lifestyle-driven, fashion-forward context without losing its authenticity.

Reflection

This project explored how far Vans’ design language can stretch while remaining recognizable. By layering delicate, vintage-inspired elements onto structured silhouettes, the collection demonstrates the power of contrast in design.

The Bloom Street Pack highlights how femininity and streetwear can coexist—creating products that feel both expressive and accessible.

Vans x Spider-Verse "Off The Wall" Collection

Project Overview

A collaborative footwear capsule featuring three distinct iterations of the iconic Vans Sk8-Hi. The collection translates the visual identities of Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Gwen Stacy into a streetwear context, blending Marvel’s high-octane energy with Vans' heritage skate culture.

Design Strategy & Execution

The goal was to move beyond simple character printing and instead use the architecture of the shoe to tell the story. Each pair utilizes the Sk8-Hi’s multi-panel construction to represent a specific suit:

Key Features

  • Dimensional Branding: Each pair features a custom-molded raised Spider-Emblem on the lateral ankle panel for a premium, tactile feel.

  • The "Webbed" Panel: Sublimated or screen-printed web patterns across the quarter panels provide immediate visual recognition.

  • Contrasting Sidestripe: The iconic Vans Sidestripe acts as the anchor, colored to match each hero's secondary suit accents.

Target Audience

  • Young Superfans (Ages 4–12): Kids who want to feel empowered and "suit up" like Peter, Miles, and Gwen for school or the playground.

  • Active Playmakers: Designed for high-energy activities, from recess to skate parks, emphasizing the durable vulcanized rubber and padded ankle support Vans is known for.

  • Gift-Givers & Parents: Appealing to parents looking for high-quality, recognizable footwear that combines "cool factor" with the long-lasting construction of a heritage brand.

The Result

A cohesive trio that feels like a unified team on a shelf, yet provides three distinct "vibes"—from the classic Americana of Peter Parker to the modern, tech-focused look of Ghost-Spider.