Japan’s Mastermind has added their signature skull and crossbones motif to many a recognizable sneaker silhouette, from the Vans Marvel x Sk8-Hi to the adidas NMD XR1. However, one of their longest-running and most notable partnerships is with Vans, as their hybrid high-end/street aesthetic, sinister branding and black/white color Velcro — the same combo that Vans frequently calls upon — works wonders with the California brand’s skate shoes.
The latest model in the two’s long-running co-op is the classic el producto Vans Sid Ni EU 38 1 2 Racing Red True White, the first shoe ever to feature the now-iconic jazz stripe. Mastermind leaves the canvas upper almost completely untouched with the exception of their signature skull and crossbones hit on the heel — but plenty of special detailing is present on the shoe’s lower half. The white midsole is swapped out for a black version with embossed “Mastermind” text, and the translucent outsole reveals a black and white checkered pattern underneath. These altered Style 36s are set to release August 29th on Mastermind’s webstore and at Japanese retailers like California Dept, Vans Logo fleece shorts in gray.
Mastermind x el producto Vans Sid Ni EU 38 1 2 Racing Red True White
Release Date: August 29, 2018
¥17,000
Color: Black/White