How it felt to collaborate with Vans: "I instantly reverted back to my childhood (lil' Tony Whlgn) when I first purchased a pair of gray Vans Eras in 2009. This was back when my friends and I would all gather around a school computer, hoping that one day we'd get to design our own artist series-inspired sneakers. Fast forward – as that day approached, the dream felt more real. Sneakers are an interesting and wearable medium to create on and with this opportunity I hope to build a stronger and more intentional relationship with Vans."
The best part of his sneakers: "My favorite aspect would have to be the flower mask. It symbolizes inner and external self-growth and planting love in the world. It is a representation of our Whlgn motto: 'We Humans Love to Grow & Nurture,' not conform to society. It is to be thy true self. The checkered pattern is honestly another favorite aspect of mine. I feel it speaks strongly to the classic Vans details that people love and know them for. That detail was almost second nature."
"My friends and I would all gather around a school computer, hoping that one day we'd get to design our own artist series-inspired sneakers.
Why his sneakers are black and white: "In my opinion, the conversation we've seen in America in recent years has been in black and white, 'Plain Sight.' The conversation has been uncomfortable for most, and with this piece, I wanted to represent the mood of that conversation through simplicity of design."
How his experience at Mark Ecko influenced his work: "My experience at Ecko taught me how to edit myself and how to aesthetically collaborate with myself using my passion for fine art and design. When I saw how corporate marketing had an edge on streetwear, it taught me that if I wanted to elevate my career, I'd have to be more expressive and vulnerable with detaching from my work. I needed to allow my work to be consumed by the outside forces of the world we live in. My story, my message, and my background all work together to give me a better sense of who I am as a contemporary artist."
Follow Tony here.
