This Isn’t a Vans x Bottega Veneta Skate Shoe. But It Should Be.

Vans and Bottega Veneta have never collaborated together. And yet, both brands have created shoes that experiment with each other's signature codes in a way that every good collaboration should.

First, came Bottega Veneta’s Sawyer sneaker, essentially a Vans shoe in disguise. A luxurious, woven leather disguise. 

Released last year, it shares the same low-profile shape as the Vans Authentic — you know, that classic skate shoe with the curved front panel. And, silencing any doubters that Bottega is looking to the Californian footwear company for inspiration, the Bottega Veneta Sawyer even has a slip-on variation that unashamedly mimics the design of Vans’ classic Slip-On model. 

Now, for Spring/Summer 2025, Vans is returning the favor, creating its own premium, woven leather, Bottega-esque sneakers. 

Bottega Veneta, Press

Shared to Instagram by Greg Betty, senior footwear designer at Vans, the skate brand is reimaging its most iconic sneakers — its Old Skool, Slip On, and Authentic models — with a woven leather upper similar to Bottega Veneta’s Intrecciato weave (the same weave used on Bottega’s “Vans” sneaker). 

Part of the Vans Premium line, the similarities between these shoes and Bottega’s creations are stark. 

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There are, of course, a few key differences (the Vans’ shoes are chunkier and their craftsmanship naturally can’t match up to that of Bottega, a specialist in leather craft) but at their core, they’re the same idea presented in different ways: woven leather iterations of the same classic footwear styles.

And if you’re getting a sense of Déjà vu, it’s likely because a near-identical story recently played out with Bottega Veneta and Timberland: Bottega made a woven leather boot seemingly inspired by a pair of Timbs, then Timberland made a woven leather boot seemingly inspired by Bottega Veneta. 

Twice, in the same month, two brands have mimicked Bottega’s signature leather weave in what looks like a response to Bottega mimicking its most iconic designs — it’s a strange state of affairs. And it’s a messy, convoluted way for two brands to tip their hat to each other. 

Bottega Veneta, Vans, and Timberland, I know none of you asked for my opinion, however, here it is: if you’re going to take cues from each other and release starkly similar products in the process, why not pool resources and collaborate with each other? Skip this strange dupe-off and let us see what you can make together. 

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