OTW by VANS Old Skool 36 FM Release, Milan Design Week

As part of Milan Design Week, the OTW by Vans Old Skool 36 FM made its debut as part of an installation by Willo Perron entitled “CHECKERED FUTURE: FREQUENCY MANIFEST” — accompanied by musical performances by Björk, Vegyn and Evissimax.

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With the launch of the Old Skool 36 FM under its OTW by Vans label, Vans once again underscores its commitment to uniting design, art, and music.

The legendary Old Skool was reinterpreted — inspired by the characteristic elements of sound — and presented for the first time in the immersive exhibition “CHECKERED FUTURE: FREQUENCY MANIFEST” at the renowned Triennale Milano.

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The installation designed by Willo Perron, with sound design by Tim Hecker, took visitors on a journey from the history of the brand to a visionary future — an impressive example of Vans' global influence and innovative strength at the interface of culture and industry.

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The installation “CHECKERED FUTURE: FREQUENCY MANIFEST” addresses the visual architecture of sound and makes the invisible — frequencies, waves and vibrations — physically tangible.

Drawing directly from these elements, the design of the Old Skool 36 FM came to life. The installation spilled out into the Triennale garden, merging the location’s architectural history with a shared, synthetic experience.

The large balcony became a stage for performances by Björk, Vegyn and Evissimax — framed by monumental, mirrored checkerboard panels that visually enveloped the crowd below.

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The Old Skool 36 FM is a radical reinterpretation of the original Old Skool (formerly Style 36), the second skate shoe from Vans and the first model with the iconic sidestripe — a logo that represents both the Vans design heritage and inextricably links the brand with pop culture.

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As the first release of the OTW “Future Make” series, the sneaker exceeds the limits of the familiar — with progressive design, innovative construction and modern materials that combine past and future.

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With a modern reinterpretation of the classic waffle profile, the Old Skool 36 FM comes with a novel cupsole construction, a raised engineered knit upper including tongue and a distinctive, 3D-injected TPU sidestripe.

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Combining Vans’ proprietary Sola Foam ADC insole with EVA Strobel construction, the design offers next-level comfort and a refined feel — a progressive take on the classic silhouette.

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The “CHECKERED FUTURE: FREQUENCY MANIFEST” installation at the Milan Triennale is part of a series of global actions by Vans — including the Skate installation below Paris's Sacré Coeur in June 2024 as well as the collaboration with Sterling Ruby's S.R.STUDIO. LA. CA on Frieze Los Angeles.

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OTW's debut at Paris Fashion Week Men’s in June 2023 on the Seine is yet another example of how skateboarding merges seamlessly with cultural influences. Each of these projects underscores OTW by Vans’ mission to curate visionary experiences and to set new standards in product design and brand storytelling.

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