In a lot of ways, Vans' collaboration with SZA was a gift none of us saw coming. This is both an astute observation and a literal manifestation. Meet the camo-colored Vansza Knu Skool.

RealTree camouflage wraps the upper while thique white laces and a puffy tongue keep the brand's skate quintessence at the forefront.

Red contrast stitching at the Jazz Stripe also adds some hue variation to the otherwise tonal sneaker. More than just a shoe, the Vansza Knu Skool represents the larger impact of SZA's role as artistic director for the brand.

At first, the collab might have sounded a little less than harmonious. In terms of creative wheelhouses, SZA has the game on lock when it comes to emotive melodies, but skateboarding? Not historically.

However, this bespoke role, as SZA is the first person to hold this title, perfectly encapsulates Vans' steady upward fashion climb. Present day, It can be hard to recall a time when Vans existed outside of the fashion circuit, but it's true. Vans wasn't always the fashion darling we know it to be today. At least not on the broad scale we're witnessing right now.

The Vans sneakers of yore existed primarily within skater circles before shifting into the mainstream, where they've oscillated in popularity for the better part of the last two decades.

As of late, though, Vans' stylish stock has been on the up and up, and SZA's onboarding has only elevated the skate brand's clear strides towards a fashion-focused future

All the best sneakers are obscure to some degree. Right?

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