ALYX's Matthew Williams Speaks About the Authenticity of Vans and How LA Influenced His Fashion Career
“I’ve worn the footwear brand my whole life and it was always a staple in my wardrobe.”
Following interviews with Brain Dead, Saint Alfred, and Takashi Murakami, Vans wraps up its global tour where it all began with ALYX in Los Angeles. Helmed by founder Matthew Williams who creates youthful collections for both men and women, Williams has been engulfed in the culture that surrounds Vans since his childhood in Southern California. “ALYX is a personal monologue. It makes sense for Vans to become apart of that story as I’ve worn Vans my whole life and was always a staple in my wardrobe,” confesses Williams.
The collaboration reinstates the lug-soled OG Style 29 and upgrades the Sk8-Hi’s predecessor, the OG Style 138 with a rubber toe and a hardware detail on the eyelet. He also took into account functionality over fashion by incorporating a flexible heel tab from the Surf collection into the collaborative OG Style 43 silhouette so skaters can rock the shoes like slippers. Watch the video above to find out more about how Williams’ love for Vans was integrated into the collaboration. When you’re done, head over to the ALYX web store to shop the collection and stop by the official Vans site for more information on how the brand is “Not Just One Thing.”