Vans and Los Angeles streetwear label Crooks & Castles brought a bold luxury-inspired look to the Forty-Four Hi with this limited collaboration. The black high-top combines perforated leather with glossy, crocodile-textured panels, while a green-and-red ankle strap and matching accents give the design its unmistakable Gucci-inspired color story. A standout release from the West Coast side of Vans’ 2009 East vs. West project, the Crooks & Castles edition was offered through the brand’s flagship store alongside a limited-edition matching T-shirt.
The Forty-Four Hi was part of Vans’ early-2009 series of guest-designed models, bringing together West Coast, East Coast and European collaborators. Crooks & Castles represented the West Coast with a premium-material take on the silhouette.