Vans unveils its latest silhouette: Old Skool 36 FM
Vans unveils its latest silhouette: Old Skool 36 FM
The iconic Old Skool, now reinvented for the future
Milan Design Week served as the stage for the launch of the Old Skool 36 FM, an OTW by Vans silhouette that highlights the Californian brand's commitment to design, art and music. The iconic Old Skool model, reinvented with design elements inspired by sound signatures, made its debut in the immersive installation ‘CHECKERED FUTURE: FREQUENCY MANIFEST’, presented at the prestigious Triennale Milano. Designed by Willo Perron, with a soundscape by Tim Hecker, the experience transported guests from Vans' iconic past to a visionary future, highlighting the brand's global influence and its dedication to innovation at the intersection of culture and industry.
The installation ‘CHECKERED FUTURE: FREQUENCY MANIFEST’ explores the visual architecture of sound through the physical materialisation of invisible elements such as frequencies, waves and vibrations. These elements served as inspiration for the creation of Old Skool 36 FM. Extending into the garden of the Triennale Milano, the project fuses the architectural history of the space with a synthetic and collective experience. The large balcony was transformed into a ceremonial stage for performances by Björk, Vegyn and Evissimax, with a monumental chess pattern materialised in a series of mirrored panels.
The Old Skool 36 FM is a bold reinterpretation of the Old Skool (originally known as the Style 36), Vans' second skate model and the first to feature the iconic Sidestripe - a symbol that has become synonymous with the brand's design legacy and popular culture. As the first release in the OTW by Vans ‘Future Make’ series, this model pushes the boundaries of innovation through progressive design, advanced construction and a modern approach to the use of materials, thus uniting inspirations from the past with aspirations for the future.
With a modern reinterpretation of the iconic waffle pattern, the Old Skool 36 FM stands out for its compartmentalised cupsole construction, a raised technical mesh vamp and tongue, and a striking 3D injected TPU structural sidestripe. The model is further reinforced with a Vans-developed ADC Foam outsole and EVA Strobel construction, providing exceptional comfort and a premium feel. This is a bold and visionary reimagining of the original - a firm step into the future.
The Old Skool 36 FM will be available in two colour versions - Marshmallow and Black, and will be launched on 11 April 2025.
The ‘CHECKERED FUTURE: FREQUENCY MANIFEST’ installation, presented at the Triennale Milano, follows on from Vans' recent global activations, including the skateboard installation held in June 2024 under the Sacré Coeur de Montmartre in Paris and the collaboration with the studio S.R.STUDIO. LA. CA. by Sterling Ruby at Frieze Los Angeles. The presentation of the OTW by Vans line at Paris Men's Fashion Week in June 2023 on the River Seine is yet another example of the brand's commitment to fusing skateboarding with cultural elements. These moments reflect OTW by Vans' ongoing mission to create visionary experiences and redefine the boundaries of product design and brand storytelling.
Vans CHECKERED FUTURE: FREQUENCY MANIFEST
by Willo Perron at Milan Design Week
Triennale Milano
Viale Emilio Alemagna, 6, 20121 Milan MI, Italy