VANS AND NINTENDO COLLABORATE ON NEW LIFESTYLE COLLECTION

by Brian Lipton

VANS NINTENDOLifestyle brand Vans and entertainment brand Nintendo will unveil an extensive collection of footwear, apparel and accessories for both adults and children celebrating the early days of video games.

The line, which features exclusive graphic prints using 8-bit inspired artwork and characters from Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt, Donkey Kong and The Legend of Zelda, as well as an assortment inspired by Nintendo’s first console, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), will launch on June 3. It will be available in select stores and online.

The Vans x Nintendo Classic footwear assortment kicks off with four variations of the “Authentic” silhouette, the Super Mario Bros: Tie-Dye, which showcases an all-over character print of Mario alongside several “power-ups” and the villainous Goomba over an 8-bit tie-dye pattern; a second color-up features the original damsel in distress, Princess Peach, awaiting rescue from her brave hero; Duck Hunt comes to life atop a digi-camo backdrop featuring the hunting dog and flying duck, and the final execution of the Authentic is an ode to Donkey Kong and incorporates imagery from its first level to present the title character in a unique floral arrangement. Meanwhile, Vans’ iconic lace-free silhouette, the classic slip-on, appears in the sneaker lineup with graphics and quotes from The Legend of Zelda.

The Vans x Nintendo collaboration also includes co-branded tees, backpacks, bags, socks and hats are prints that tie back to the classic footwear.