Gallery Dept. is teaming up with Vans once again, this time turning the spotlight on the Authentic Reissue 44 for a release that blurs the line between wearable fashion and contemporary art. Following last year’s collaboration on the Rowley, this latest effort reflects Josué Thomas’ ongoing vision of transforming everyday items into expressive, paint-splattered pieces.
The sneaker arrives with a cream-colored canvas upper, splashed with black and multicolor paint across the toe, giving it a lived-in, studio-floor look. It’s a visual cue that fans may recognize from Gallery Dept.’s recent ASICS GT-2160 collab, reinforcing the idea that worn-in equals worn-right.
Additional touches round out the storytelling. The midsole features a distressed finish, printed with a repeating “Art That Kills” logo, which serves as a reference to the brand’s creative platform and independent record label. Packaging hasn’t been overlooked either, arriving with a custom “Handle With Care” message that leans into the art-gallery-meets-streetwear theme of the collaborative project.
The Gallery Dept. x Vans Authentic Reissue 44 is expected to drop in late March via GalleryDept.com, Vans.com, and select retailers.
