drops. I’m a big fan of the new wave of hip-hop, but I also love punk and hardcore. I think that’s what’s so cool about Vans — we have this heritage in punk and hardcore, but we’re also connected to hip-hop and street culture. It’s all about that energy and attitude.”
The Kinetic Sounds of Skating: Vans OTW’s Checkerboard Future
The Old Skool 36 FM is not your average skate shoe. It’s a bold departure from Vans’ signature canvas upper, opting instead for a breathable, mesh-like knit material and 3D-injected TPU molding. But what sets this shoe apart is its focus on capturing the raw energy and sound of skating.
From the riotous percussion of a deck hitting concrete to the clink!-clank! and grating shriek of metal during a railslide, the Old Skool 36 FM is designed to embody the visceral calamity of propelling oneself into motion. And as Vans OTW’s first Future Make release, it’s clear that this shoe is all about pushing boundaries and embracing innovation.
To introduce the world to this groundbreaking silhouette, Vans enlisted the help of multidisciplinary artist and cultural polymath Willo Perron and audio designer Tim Hecker. Together, they created an installation called “Checkerboard Future: Frequency Manifest” that explores the frequencies of sound through a visual language.
The installation debuted at the prestigious Triennale Milano during Milan Design Week, with attendees propped atop industrial platforms, fully immersed in the experience. Perron and Hecker wanted to capture the intangible nature of sound and its ability to affect and move us. They created a room that reshapes itself according to different sound frequencies, using the iconic checkerboard pattern as inspiration.
For Vans, this collaboration with Perron and Hecker is a way to stay connected to its heritage and the communities that have propelled the brand into the mainstream. Dylan Petrenka, Design Director at OTW by Vans, explains that music is the through-line that ties the Old Skool 36 FM to Vans’ storied legacy. He shares that Thursday at 9:00 PM West Coast time is his favorite time of the week because that’s when all the new music drops. And for Vans, it’s all about that energy and attitude, whether it’s in punk and hardcore or in the new wave of hip-hop.
The Old Skool 36 FM is not just a shoe, it’s a statement. It’s a symbol of Vans’ commitment to pushing boundaries and embracing innovation, while staying true to its roots in music and street culture. So lace up your Old Skool 36 FMs and get ready to make some noise.
