Paris, Paris, Paris! One of my favorite places on earth and, without question, my favorite fashion week of them all (though I’ll admit, I prefer Paris in June over January). Still, I’m grateful to be back.
The fashion industry is in the midst of seismic creative shifts, new appointments, abrupt exits, and daily reshuffled hierarchies. Keeping up can feel dizzying, even for those of us who live inside it. So when news broke that SZA had been appointed Artistic Director of Vans, my reaction was immediate and honest: Interesting. I like SZA’s music, of course. I love Vans’ legacy, too. But what does that collaboration between the two look like in practice? What will SZA bring to the universe of sneakers?
So, when the opportunity arose to see a sample of SZA’s debut shoe as Vans' Artistic Director, I said yes without hesitation. Here’s how it unfolded.
Vans Le Marais officially opened its doors with a two-day cultural activation designed less like a store launch and more like a community celebration. Taking place across January 21 and 22, the programming blended music, fashion, and creativity in a way that felt distinctly Off The Wall.
The celebration kicked off with a community-led launch party that transformed Vans Le Marais’ open-air courtyard into a live cultural space. Inside and out, global artists mixed easily with Parisian creatives and longtime Vans loyalists. Guests customized exclusive accessories alongside emerging local artists Emilia Pesty and Jean Ewen. This was a small but meaningful gesture that underscored Vans’ long-standing commitment to championing the next generation.
As the first evening of events continued, the energy only built. A live performance from Oklou (one of my fave artists right now) set the tone, followed by DJ sets from Paris-based talents Andy4k, Ey.rah, and Kidlohan, before UK’s very own Little Simz closed out the night. The lineup felt intentional, with emerging voices sharing space with globally respected artists, all under one “roof” and on equal footing.
The following afternoon, I arrived back at the newly opened flagship for the second chapter of the activation, and it became clear that I had underestimated the moment I was walking into.
I’d anticipated a crowd, sure, but nothing prepared me for the scene wrapping around the block. Hundreds of fans lined the street, some clutching worn-in Vans, others holding tour merch, all patiently waiting for a chance to get a glimpse of SZA and, hopefully, leave with a signed pair of her unreleased sneaker design. The devotion was undeniable.
Inside the shop, the energy shifted from frenzy to focus. The store itself is beautifully done! Clean, expansive,the kind of space that lets the product speak for itself. I walked through the labyrinth of shoes on the wall and then, the reveal: VANSZA.
My first reaction was shock. Fish Graphics?! I paused. Looked again. Then read the placard. The artwork on the shoe was created in collaboration with Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Sage Adams, drawing from shared fascinations with marine life, nature, and the quiet poetry of overlooked ecosystems. This initial concept was just a glimpse of the world to come, a prototype for SZA’s inaugural collection, reported to arrive in the fall. What at first felt unexpected quickly revealed itself as deeply considered. The shoe wasn’t just a fashion object; it was a visual conversation about friendship, collaboration, and creative kinship.
“As Artistic Director, my mission is to show that joy, community, creativity, and fashion are all still intersectional,” SZA explains. “That humanity, culture, and connection are still the access points.”
Brilliant. And then it was time!!! SZA arrival.
Word rippled through the store, Security moved, staff adjusted, and outside, the crowd erupted. Some fans had been waiting since 8 a.m. (it was nearly 4 p.m. by now), their patience rewarded as black vans pulled up and the chart-topping artist stepped out to a chorus of screams. She took a moment to greet the hysterical crowd hugging fans as she weaved through the mob.
What followed was less celebrity spectacle and more genuine connection. During the meet-and-greet, SZA moved slowly and deliberately, signing each and every shoe, answering questions, taking photos, and really seeing the people in front of her. Watching her interact with fans, it became clear that community isn’t just a talking point for her; it’s a practice. There was care in every exchange, a shared understanding that Vans’ Off The Wall ethos—creativity, individuality, self-expression—had found a natural steward.
By the time the event wound down, one thing felt certain: the next chapter of Vans is in good hands. If this first chapter is any indication, SZA’s tenure as Artistic Director won’t just produce good shoes, it will foster space for younger voices, unexpected collaborations, and creativity that feels human again.
