Vans Teamed Up With One of Its Pro Skaters to Make a Rugged Mary Jane

Pro skater Beatrice Domond has received several Vans sneakers in colorways to call her own, and now she’s getting first release from the OTW line through a model that has very little to do with skateboarding.

The Vans OTW Mary Jane DS by Beatrice Domond brings a rugged look to the classic low-cut, strapped silhouette. And even though a Mary Jane isn’t new to Vans, this edition treads new ground with the addition of a robust outsole.

Domond’s Mary Jane features a thick, treaded outsole to boost its height and its aggressiveness. Appearing in all black, the shoe then features an upper made out of premium leather and suede. Even more luxurious is a goatskin lining, and the insole breaks from the monochromatic look with a map of Haiti, which is from where her family hails.

The campaign leans into the Haitian connection through a film in which Domond and her grandmother, speaking in Haitian Creole, discuss her childhood and lineage. For this project I wanted to show my community another side of me, I don’t think anyone really knows I have Haitian ancestry, Domond said in a press release. “It’s also to pay homage to my grandma and mother because this shoe is a really big deal for me – if it wasn’t for them, I don’t believe I would be having such amazing opportunities.”

Domond was chosen last year for the launch colorway of the Zahba mid skate shoe, and she’s also collaborated on releases that includes a Style 53 incorporating elements of a penny loafer and an AVE Pro.

The Vans OTW Mary Jane DS by Beatrice Domond will release Thursday, December 19, through the OTW by Vans website. Pricing is set at $140.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.