Tattoo Legend BJ Betts Is The Latest Artist To Link Up With Vans For Epic New Range
Heavy!
Fashion
September 11, 2020

The Made for the Makers range is here.

Tattoo legend BJ Betts, nearly needs no introduction. Blending gothic imagery, Japanese folklore, with his unique lettering – his iconic style speaks for itself. Naturally, he’s the perfect candidate to be a much-coveted Vans collaborator, as the brand continue to combine contemporary artists with their classic styles.

It’s a collab that makes even more sense, given Betts’ longtime Vans appreciation. “I have a deep love for Vans and I’ve been wearing them my whole life,” he says. “I bought my first pair of Authentics back in 1988, and I actually still have them. They’re not even that ripped up, they’re just old, man. They’re still wearable. They look like what they are—a 32-year-old pair of Vans.”

Reimagining a trio of OGs – the Old Skool, Authentic and Slip-On – Betts brings original camouflage patterns in muted military-inspired colors, which is a homage to his time personally spent in the US military.
‘’I wanted to make something functional,” he says. “Being an artist and working long hours, more times than not I end up going out and having dinner later in the evening and going to meet up with my family and friends directly from work.”

“I wanted to have a collection that could be worn easily and comfortably while working, with the stain resistant qualities that allow me to head out for a nice dinner looking presentable with a simple wipe down of my shoes. The shoes are generally the first thing that is noticed, am I wrong?”

Check out the kicks below and heard here to shop them:

Editors Pick