Fashion
VANSZA Knu Skool Mule: SZA's First Vans Drop, Previewed in New York, Launches Oct. 22
SZA's first collection as Vans creative director, Vansza, drops October 22. Its centerpiece is the Knu Skool Mule, a Knu Skool with the back removed, which was previewed at 260 Bowery during New York Fashion Week in September.
The first drop of Vansza, the debut collection from SZA as Vans creative director, goes on sale October 22 at Vans retail locations and on Vans.com. Its centerpiece is the Vansza Knu Skool Mule, which takes one of SZA's favorite Vans styles and removes the entire back to make a slide-on mule.
According to Sole Retriever, the mule keeps the Knu Skool's classic black-and-white look: a monochrome black upper, a white Vans logo stripe on the side, and a white midsole and laces to match. It has a puffy tongue and an open back.
SZA says the design grew out of a lifelong habit of stepping on the backs of her shoes, something her mother has always asked her to stop doing. "I love a mule and I love a slide-on," she said in a statement. "So I needed everything to be slide-on-able... I took the whole back off the Knu Skool because, why not? Less effort. More fun. More accessibility. More comfort. More color."
The other shoe in Drop 1 is the Vansza Authentic Kickdown. It has custom artwork by Sage Adams, distressed white canvas with fish graphics, and a collapsible heel that can be stepped down. The outdoor-inspired apparel carries animal motifs such as fish and insects. It includes oversized workwear-style outerwear, relaxed cargo pants and fish-graphic T-shirts. There is also a fleece set printed with a photorealistic image of a worn workwear jacket from SZA's own wardrobe, plus a denim hunting jacket and multi-pocket denim pants.
The New York connection: the collection made its public debut in an installation at 260 Bowery during New York Fashion Week on September 10 and 11. SZA also made an in-store appearance at Foot Locker in Freehold Raceway Mall, New Jersey, on October 21.
Drop 2 follows on April 8, 2027, with the Vansza LX Tabi Hiker, a split-toe shoe, and a Knu Skool in RealTree camouflage with interchangeable laces. No price was given in the coverage we drew on.
(Details are drawn from points that agree across reports by WWD / Footwear News, Sole Retriever, FashionUnited.)
Release date
