Survival of the Illest

Photos by Brianna Capozzi. Creative Direction by Ferdinando Verderi of Johannes Leonardo. Styled by Haley Wollens.

Fashion

Vans and *Better With Age Turn Classics Into Collectibles

May 19, 2026

There’s something fitting about Vans linking with *Better With Age. Both brands, in their own way, understand the value of wear and tear. Now, the Los Angeles label founded by Remy Milchman is bringing that philosophy directly to two of Vans’ most recognizable silhouettes through a new collaboration which debuted at Dover Street Market London.

What makes the project feel especially aligned with *Better With Age’s universe, is the emphasis on individuality. Customers purchasing pairs at Dover Street Market London will be able to customize their shoes on-site using vintage patches and brass letter beads, transforming each pair into a genuine one-off. The activation pushes the collaboration beyond standard footwear release territory and into something closer to an ongoing object.

That idea has long sat at the center of Milchman’s work. Since launching *Better With Age, the designer has built a following through reconstructed Americana pieces that combine vintage, luxury, and sustainability without falling into the self-seriousness that often surrounds upcycled fashion. His collections consistently repurpose reclaimed fabrics, vintage garments, and recycled materials, treating old clothing less like deadstock and more like raw material for reinvention.

Text by Dylan Andrews

Rather than reinventing the wheel, the partnership leans into the quiet beauty of aging things well. The Vans LX Authentic 44 arrives in a navy-and-white colorway intentionally treated to look sun-worn, complete with a yellowed sole, faded upper, and custom leather branding details that feel pulled from another era. The LX Half-Cab 33 takes a slightly heavier approach, pairing black suede with tassel detailing, co-branded leather labels, and the same vintage-tinted sole treatment that runs throughout the collection.

Fashion

Procell Reimagines the Nike T90 Through a Terrace-Inspired Lens

Fashion

LỰU ĐΑ̣Ν Continues Bruce Lee’s Legacy Through New Collaboration

May 14, 2026

LỰU ĐΑ̣Ν has unveiled a collaboration with Bruce Lee Enterprises, released in conjunction with AAPI Heritage Month and the brand’s tenth collection, All Bets Are Off. Long positioned as a foundational influence for founder Hung La, Bruce Lee’s image, philosophy, and self-determined approach to identity have remained embedded within the brand since its inception. Drawing from Lee’s athletic uniforms, 1970s tailoring, and iconic film imagery, the collection merges LỰU ĐΑ̣Ν’s darker visual language with the unmistakable style of the martial arts legend. Key pieces include a reworked version of Lee’s yellow jumpsuit, graphic ringer tees, and accessories informed by archival film materials.

Rather than recreating Bruce Lee through casting, the campaign works directly with his original image archive, using AI-assisted digital manipulation and retouching to place the collection onto Lee himself, collapsing past and present into a new visual interpretation. What emerges is less a retrospective than a continuation, positioning Bruce Lee not simply as inspiration, but as an enduring framework for self-definition, resistance, and image-making within the world of LỰU ĐΑ̣Ν.