After two years of development, New York imprint 18 East has revealed its first-ever collaboration with Vans: an updated take on the classic Half Cab silhouette in three colorways. For the partnership, the nature-inspired label has injected its signature utilitarian codes into the famous skating sneaker, producing an exact replica of the silhouette that first introduced 18 East creative director Antonio Ciongoli to skating.

For this project - I designed & recorded a mixtape inspired by our favorite tracks from 90’s skate videos that will be included in the first 100 pairs of Half Cab, t-shirts using the designs to be sold seperately. This project is an homage my hero DJ A_Dog who passed away 10 years ago this year. I also participated as talent on the shoot for cliff jumping, as well as model stills for the following seasons campaign.

“We asked our friend Liam O’Neil (Crusty Cuts) - an incredible designer and DJ - to make us an A-Dog-style mixtape that we could include with the shoes.  We ran 100 cassettes (orange in tribute to Photosynthesis) and they’ll be inserted into the first 100 pairs we sell.  While we were up there we also hosted a basement show that would pay homage to Andy and the diverse music scene that is thriving in the city today due to his groundwork.  Liam opened with a set that A-Dog would have been really hyped on and then two great VT hardcore bands shut it down. We also organized a large session at the Courthouse, Burlington’s most iconic plaza and skate spot, in Andy’s honor.” - Antonio Ciongoli via Village Psychic

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Hypebeast Village Psychic Complex