Sad news poured in today as we caught wind of Malcolm McLaren’s passing. The legendary punk influencer, fashion figure, and Sex Pistols founder was highly regarded as one of music’s true icons. Having shaped the 70s fashion scene in London along with his work alongside Vivienne Westwood, McLaren was a true pioneer in every sense of the word. He also contributed to our street culture with a Supreme project, in conjunction with Vans, back in 2009. May he Rest in Peace.

Born in London, McLaren grew up as part of an alienated postwar generation, working to find a way through the rubble and economic strife left in the wake of the blitz. “We were born alone of parents who didn’t want to know us, you know — who met during the war, married during the war, gave birth right after the war, and broke up, because they only got married because they didn’t think anything was going to happen,” he said. “We were born into a very hard-nosed environment with very little love and very little sense of belonging. You always forever were an outcast, a rebel at school.”

McLaren attended art school at St. Martin’s College and Goldsmiths, but after graduation he soon put aside aspirations of being a traditional artist in favor of pursuing a career in fashion. Together with designer Vivienne Westwood, he opened a clothing store that cycled through a series of names, but which entered the annals of fashion history as SEX. There, he and Westwood pioneered an aggressive style that was partly influenced by the ragtag attire of the New York punk scene — particularly the torn-T-shirt look of Richard Hell — and partly by the bondage garb of London’s reviled underground.

Source: ARTINFO

Releasing alongside the Supreme project involving British punk pioneer Malcolm McLaren which features a collection of apparel comes a three-piece footwear collection with Vans on the relatively lesser known V-79 model. The collection involves some bright colors on a simple Vans profile. The shoes include some strong details including a printed insole and markings on the tongue. The shoes will release in-store and online on Thursday, May 21st in the US and on May 23rd in Japan.

In Supreme’s latest collaborative venture, trailblazer Malcolm McLaren takes part in a collection of apparel and footwear featuring hoodies, hats, t-shirts and footwear alongside Vans. The full details of the apparel aspect of the project and a history of McLaren’s achievements can be seen below. A two part video interview also gives McLaren’s thoughts on the whole music and art scene he was such an integral part of.

Malcolm McLaren was born in 1946 in the suburbs of London, England. In 1971, he and then partner Vivienne Westwood opened a shop inspired by the Teddy Boy movement called Let It Rock at 430 Kings Road.

In 1972, McLaren met the New York Dolls on a trip to New York City and took on the role as their manager and designer of the band’s stage wear. He changed the name of his shop to Too Fast Too Live Too Young Too Die. But after the brand’s breakup in 1975, McLaren turned his focus to fetish wear that paved the way for punk via his newly named shop, SEX. When he met Johnny Rotten on the street one day that year, McLaren formed and managed The Sex Pistols, the legendary band that would be the vehicle for this new look and attitude. Shortly after the release of their first and only album “Never Mind The Bullocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols” the band disbanded.

In 1983 McLaren embarked on a solo musical career with the release of his album “Duck Rock” Fusing elements of the then newly emerging hip-hop sound with more traditional African and American music, McLaren scored major hits with tracks like Buffalo Gals, World’s Famous, and D’Ya Like Scratchin. The album was a collaboration with “The World Famous Supreme Team” that was Just Allah and See Divine, two emcees from New York City. They also hosted a radio show called “The World Famous Supreme Team Show”. Mclaren also worked on the album with key artists of the time including Dondi White and Keith Haring, among others.

Supreme will release a small collection with Malcolm McLaren comprised of original artwork on tees, hoodie and New Era hat. In addition, a Vans V-79 was designed for the project.

Available in-store and online this Thursday, May 21st. Available in Japan on May 23rd.