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Vans Names SZA as Artistic Director in Multi-Year Partnership

The Grammy-winning artist takes on a bold new role at Vans, merging music, fashion, and community in a multi-year creative journey.

Vans and SZA join forces with a shared vision to celebrate individuality, creativity, and community.

Vans has officially announced a multi-year creative partnership with one of music and fashion’s most influential figures: SZA.

Stepping into the role of Artistic Director, the Grammy-winning artist will collaborate closely with Vans to reimagine upcoming campaigns and co-create exclusive product collections that merge her singular vision with the brand’s youthful, free-spirited DNA.

SZA: An Artist Who Defines a Generation

SZA is more than a chart-topping musician, she is a cultural force who has reshaped the emotional tone of her generation.

With a sound that defies genre, she embodies authenticity and vulnerability, offering space for both quiet reflection and unapologetic self-expression.

Her approach to style mirrors her music: unafraid of breaking norms, pushing boundaries, and encouraging young people to take ownership of their own stories.

For Vans, SZA is the perfect embodiment of the brand’s legendary “Off the Wall” spirit, leading with creative intention while inspiring others to do the same.

“At Vans, I feel free”

SZA shares.

“I’ve been wearing Knu Skool sneakers and other Vans models for years because they’ve always aligned with my essence and identity. As Artistic Director, my mission is to show that joy, community, creativity, and fashion are still deeply connected. Humanity, culture, and connection remain the access points. I’ve learned that courage and curiosity are the cure for uncertainty, it’s a lifestyle, and Vans defends that spirit. They are where I am, and I’m honored to invite so many others to evoke the Off the Wall spirit with us.”

The First Campaign: Joy, Reflection, and the Power of Being

To mark the beginning of this partnership, Vans and SZA are launching an original brand anthem: a creative campaign dedicated to the beauty of being.

It explores vulnerability through self-reflection, art, and fashion, spotlighting one of SZA’s favorite Vans styles: the Knu Skool in black and white.

The campaign is brought to life by director and photographer Sophie Jones, with styling by Alejandra Hernandez, blending artistic intimacy with bold energy.

The Vans Knu Skool: A Modern Icon

Originally introduced in 1997, the Vans Knu Skool was born as a reinvention of the iconic Old Skool™ for a new generation of skaters and creatives in the late ’90s.

Designed with skate culture in mind, the Knu Skool stands out with:

  • Puffed-up tongue for extra volume and comfort

  • 3D Sidestripe™ detailing that amplifies the classic silhouette

  • Oversized laces for a playful, rebellious edge

Now, with SZA as Artistic Director, the Knu Skool is being celebrated not just as a sneaker, but as a symbol of self-expression and individuality.

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