KICKS/HI x Vans

Hawaii retailer KICKS/HI has collaborated with Vans Vault on a sneaker pack for Summer 2012. They got together with local Hawaii living legend and brand, Sig Zane, to create a “Mauka to Makai” (from the mountains to the sea) Sneaker Pack. Complete with an Era LX and Chukka LX which both incorporate Sig Zane fabrics, made and designed in Hawaii, the two premium sneakers perfectly represent the island home of the store and the brand.

The ‘Mauka’ Chukka Boot LX Premium features a suede and linen upper, cut leather laces and gum sole. They chose an
espresso brown colorway with lighter leather accents to reflect the Mauka (mountain inspired) feel and environment. The Mauka Chukka design incorporates Sig Zane’s hand-cut artwork of the endemic Hawaiian silversword, ‘Āhinahina, and the Mauka-inspired print, Pu’umanawale’a.

Where the Pacific meets the islands, we are left with a tide pool palette unique to the Makai (the sea). With a sky linen body, white leather tongue and also with cut leather laces, the Era LX Premium is the solid summer joint. The Olako’aka featured on the insole takes us back to the beginning of the Kumulipo creation chant. The mushroom coral is one of the first creatures mentioned in the Kumulipo and make up the origins of the Hawaiian islands.

The shoes will be available exclusively this Saturday, April 14, at KICKS/HI (Honolulu), KICKS/HI /(Guam), Sig Zane (Hilo, HI), and Saint Alfred (Chicago). An online release follows on the next Monday.