Vans x Della

Thanks to the dedication of founder and creative director of Della, Tina Tangalakis; social responsibility has received major attention within the fashion community. This season, Vans collaborates with Della to help raise awareness of this important guiding principle in manufacturing cycles. In 2009, Tangalakis joined a volunteer program in Ghana and soon fell in love with West Africa. Employing her experience in humanitarian work, business and design, she started her own company, Della, to produce fabrics enriched with the culture and colors of Ghana’s Volta Region. The Vans x Della partnership honors the empowering creativity of Della’s designers with a selection of footwear and accessories.

The Vans x Della capsule consists of six different shoe styles for men and women with accessories offering to match. Della’s team of designers handcrafts each sheet of fabric used. A local batik technique lends a lively and radiant color palette to the collection and carries inspirations drawn from the region’s landscape over to Vans Classic Sk8-Hi Reissue, Era, Authentic, a Sk8-Hi Slim and two new accessory silhouettes, a large hobo bag and a wristlet clutch. Vivid shades of blue, yellow, red and green mimic the riverbanks and tree lines found in Volta, while a tri-tone heart print combines tints of pink, magenta and purple to reflect the heart and soul bound to the creation of these materials. The proceeds from the sale of these products will support Della’s efforts in offering programs for jobs, education, and skills training in the community.