Supreme and Vans Continue Collaboration with Diamond Plate Range

Diamond Plate Vans Collaboration Highlights Week 11 of Supreme SS19

Jeffrey Holmes

May 8, 2019

            Following up the masterful Jean Paul Gaultier x Vans from Week 7, this week’s Supreme drop spotlights another Vans collaboration.[1]  The two skateboarding mainstays will be releasing pro model Sk8-His and Slip-Ons, each in three colorways, on May 9, 2019 exclusively via Supreme.  With the first Supreme x Vans collaboration debuting in 1996, the two imprints have a storied history of working together.[2]

            This week continues that legacy with the Diamond Plate range, brandishing a diamond print on suede and heavy branding from both brands.  The Sk8-Hi is constructed with suede panels and a canvas upper while the Slip-On features an entire canvas upper.  Like other Vans pro models, both shoes are lined with leather for increased durability.  While these offerings are not as loud as the Jean Paul Gaultier line, the excessive branding does not lend itself to subtlety.

Supreme x Vans Sk8-Hi Pro Models via Supreme

            The advantage of having an extensive history together is that there is no dearth of diversity in designs.  Where Spring / Summer 2011 saw the warm colors and minimal designs of Supreme x Vans Old Skools, Spring / Summer 2006 boasted Half-Cabs with multiple conflicting checkerboard designs inspired by retro BMX gear.  This week’s drop finds itself in-between; the shoes are versatile enough to match a variety of outfits, but still stand out on their own.

           In addition to the collaboration, Supreme will also be delivering more goods from this season’s lookbook.  Notable pieces include the Apple Coaches Jacket, a reliable workwear staple with a simple apple motif and the Grand Prix Parka with an all-over raceway print.  SupremeCommunity has also listed a hooded sweatshirt and matching shorts designed in collaboration with Champion, but as of the time of writing, no pictures have been made available.[3]

Supreme Grand Prix Parka via SupremeCommunity

          Like most Supreme drops in the post-Carlyle era, the pieces included in this release are leaving fans divided.  Supreme collector Jacob Starr is labeling this the worst week of the season,[4] but Stockx is anticipating high resale for the Vans collaboration, with some colorways going for almost three times the retail.[5]  Opinions aside, what is practically guaranteed is that Supreme will continue to coast on the value of hype.  Typical for the brand, most of these items will sell out in minutes after the collection is released to the public.

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[1] https://hypebeast.com/2019/5/supreme-vans-spring-summer-2019-collection-diamond-plate

[2] https://www.highsnobiety.com/2017/10/12/supreme-vans-every-collaboration-history/

[3] https://www.supremecommunity.com/season/spring-summer2019/droplist/2019-05-09/

[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QRAIA7FJQY

[5] https://stockx.com/vans-sk8-hi-supreme-diamond-plate-red