This spring, legendary artist Ralph Steadman and Vault by Vans, partner on an imperative mission to raise awareness about animal endangerment and extinction. Steadman, the renowned British illustrator of social caricatures, cartoons and picture books, lends his work to the canvases of Vans’ Sk8-Hi and Classic Slip-On, to showcase his notoriously splattered, hallucinogenic illustrations.
As part of the launch of the collection, Vans has partnered with WildAid, an organization that works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products and to increase local support for conservation efforts. In addition to encouraging contributions through a donation-inspired exhibition, Vans will donate $10,000 towards WildAid to provide crucial support to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes, deliver comprehensive marine protection and reduce our collective environmental impact.
Organic Cotton Tee featuring the Orangutan: In the threatened rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra orangutan numbers have plummeted from more than 300,000 to about 70,000. Often considered pests that destroy crops, adults are regularly killed, leaving orphaned infants which end up either in the pet trade or, with luck, a rehabilitation centre. Much of their homeland has been cleared for palm oil production, and the remaining forests need 24-hour protection to stop the first great ape extinction.
Vans Vault T-Shirt x Ralph Steadman "Orangutang"
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White
Price: £37.00
Organic Cotton Tee featuring the Amur Leopard: Seventy—the number of Amur leopards remaining in the Russian Far East and northern China. Two hundred fifty—the number of Amur leopards in breeding programs being prepared to enter the wild in the event of extinction of the remaining seventy. Habitat loss and poaching of the leopard and its prey are the main factors for its disappearance. Unbelievably, leopard fur is still considered desirable by certain fashionistas. Big cats should not become hats.
Vans Vault Tee x Ralph Steadman "Leopard"
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White
Price: £37.00
Organic Cotton Tee featuring the Western European Hedgehog: In the 1950s it was estimated that there were 30 million hedgehogs in the UK . . . but now there are likely less than a million. Habitat loss in both urban and rural areas is the main problem. The hedgehog has been on Earth for more than 15 million years, surviving everything this world has thrown at it. The 21st century, however, is proving to be its spikiest test yet.
Vans Vault T-Shirt x Ralph Steadman "Hedgehog"
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White
Price: £37.00
Organic Cotton Tee featuring the Grey Nurse Shark: Found across most subtropical and warmer oceans, this shark is hunted for its oil and fins, which are used in soup. Modern fishing methods accidentally ensnare this critter in nets—but a change to smaller meshes could stop the shark from being regularly caught as bycatch. Off the east coast of Australia, especially, the grey nurse shark population is listed as “Critically Endangered” and the numbers keep plummeting. This shark needs serious “nursing” back to full health.
Vans Vault Tee x Ralph Steadman "Shark"
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White
Price: £37.00
Vans Vault Tee x Ralph Steadman "Off The Wall"
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White
Price: £37.00
The OG Classic Slip-On LX featuring the Garden Bumblebee: Only 275 species of bees exist globally, meaning these 275 are entirely responsible for making the world’s honey and pollinating crops. In an attempt to get the buzz out about these nearly-extinct insects, Ralph Steadman’s bittersweet illustrations cover the canvas OG Classic Slip-On LX.
Vans Vault UA OG Classic Slip-On LX x Ralph Steadman
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BEE/WHITE
Price: £69.00
The OG Classic Slip-On LX featuring the Bluefin Tuna: In the last 100 years the population of the Pacific bluefin tuna has been depleted by 96%. This over-the-top craving for tuna has led to illegal fishing and million-dollar prices on their fins. With all the intention to save this coveted fish, Steadman decks out the canvas OG Classic Slip-On LX with these very ‘blue’ swimmers.
Vans Vault UA OG Classic Slip-On LX x Ralph Steadman
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Blue Tuna
Price: £69.00
The OG Sk8-Hi featuring the Lion: The African and Asiatic lion population has dwindled from 450,000 in the 1940s to as low as 20,000 today. The conflict between man and lion is the main threat and trophy hunting is also an issue. To shed light on this majestic creature’s downfall, Steadman’s interpretation of the lion is featured on the uppers and side panels of the canvas OG Sk8-Hi LX.
Vans Vault UA OG SK8-Hi LX x Ralph Steadman
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Lion/Red/Black
Price: £89.00
The OG Sk8-Hi LX featuring the Grevy’s Zebra - Lack of food sources, habitat loss and illegal hunting are the major factors in the decline of Grevy’s zebras. With intentions to raise awareness of the wild animals, Steadman’s illustration of this striped beauty is featured on the uppers and side panels of the canvas OG Sk8-Hi LX.
Vans Vault UA OG SK8-Hi LX x Ralph Steadman
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Zebra
Price: £89.00
The OG Style 138 LX featuring the Fin Whale: Habitat loss, toxins, climate change and especially commercial whaling have threatened the lives of this magnificent, seafaring animal. To bring this fire situation to the surface, Ralph Steadman’s Fin Whale artwork adorns the upper and side panels of the OG Style 138 LX.
Vans Vault UA OG Style 138 LX x Ralph Steadman
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Whale
Price: £99.00
The OG Style 138 LX featuring the Lemur Leaf Frog: Found in Columbia, Costa Rica and Panama, the Lemur leaf frog population has fallen drastically by more than 80%. In order to help this slimy creative bounce back, Steadman’s frog illustrations decorate the upper and side panels of the OG Style 138 LX.
Vans Vault UA OG Style 138 LX x Ralph Steadman
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Frog
Price: £99.00
The OG Classic Slip-On LX, “Gonzovationist”: What is “gonzovation”, you ask? It’s an alternative conservation through the act of gonzovating; gonzovation is the protection, preservation, management, or restoration of wildlife and of natural resources to include forests, earth and water. So, naturally, a “gonzovationist” is an alternative conservationist; a person who makes sense from the nonsense. Thought up by the artist himself, “I’m A Gonzovationist” is printed across the vamp of the OG Classic Slip-On LX as well as Vans’ checkerboard side panel for good measure.
Vans Vault UA OG Classic Slip-On LX x Ralph Steadman
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gonzovationist
Price: £69.00
The OG Slip-On LX, Checkerboard Splatter: In sum, this collaboration with Vans uses illustrations that offer an artful, original, and expressive way of bringing awareness and much-needed attention to threatened species. Included in the Vans x Ralph Steadman collection is a checkerboard splatter style resembling splattered blood across an oceanic backdrop–an unmistakable interpretation of the world’s endangered sea creatures.
Vans Vault UA OG Classic Slip-On LX x Ralph Steadman
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checkerboard splatter
Price: £69.00