Vans presented a new chapter in its design direction at Milan Design Week 2025 with the launch of the Old Skool 36 FM, the first drop from its OTW by Vans ‘Future Make’ series. The brand chose Triennale Milano as the venue, transforming the institution into an immersive experience called “CHECKERED FUTURE: FREQUENCY MANIFEST,” created by designer Willo Perron with a soundscape by Tim Hecker. The launch combined performance, architecture, and product design, setting the tone for Vans’ next steps in footwear innovation.
The installation explored the unseen components of sound, frequencies, waves, and vibrations, and gave them physical form. Large mirrored panels arranged in a checkerboard formation extended into the garden, refracting light while anchoring the event’s visual identity. A balcony overlooking the crowd turned into a stage for performances by Björk, Vegyn, and Evissimax, reinforcing the connection between sonic experimentation and Vans’ ongoing involvement with creative subcultures.
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Designed with influences pulled directly from these invisible sonic elements, the Old Skool 36 FM marks a sharp evolution of the original Style 36. This silhouette, Vans’ second-ever skate shoe and the first to introduce the now-iconic Sidestripe, has been reengineered for contemporary use. The new version features a reworked sole and upper construction, while still nodding to the shoe’s original function and form.
The Old Skool 36 FM stands apart with a componentized cupsole and a raised engineered-knit upper that reshapes how the shoe fits and moves. A 3D-injected TPU side stripe brings sculptural depth to the design, offering more structure while echoing its roots. Vans has also added comfort-focused upgrades, including its proprietary Sola Foam ADC insole and EVA Strobel construction. These material choices enhance both wearability and support, allowing the shoe to bridge aesthetic intent with functional needs.
Two colorways Marshmallow and Black anchor the release. Each pairs simplicity with advanced technical detailing, showing the brand’s ability to revise archival models through contemporary construction.
This debut also positions OTW by Vans as a new arena within the company’s larger framework. Since launching in 2023 with a floating skateable platform on the River Seine during Paris Fashion Week Men’s, OTW has directed Vans into new territory through installations and partnerships. The Milan Design Week activation follows key projects like a large-scale skate installation beneath Sacré Coeur in Paris and a collaboration with Sterling Ruby’s S.R. STUDIO. LA. CA. at Frieze Los Angeles.
With the Old Skool 36 FM and the immersive environment crafted for its launch, Vans signals its shift toward shaping physical experiences around product design.
