A Filipino-American visual artist collaborated with sneaker company, Vans, to design footwear honoring his Pinoy roots and heritage.

California-based DJ Javier, a visual artist and designer, announced that his collection with Vans is now available worldwide.

The shoe company introduced Javier as a multi-disciplinary artist known for his bold artwork.

“We partnered with him on a pack of silhouettes that honors his roots and intertwines Filipino symbolism with SoCal culture,” it shared on its Instagram post.

“SoCal” is short for Southern California, and is famous for its homegrown surf and skateboard culture.

Javier also took to Instagram to share the exciting collaboration, “This project represents Filipino culture, identity, and Filipino people. It represents the immigrant story.”

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A post shared by 𝔇𝔍 𝔍𝔞𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔯 (@_djjavier)

“The first image featured here is my dad, Liberato Javier, and myself. He immigrated here with my mom from the Philippines in the early 80’s, leaving everything behind to go to an unfamiliar place to hopefully give his family a better future,” he said.

“He had big aspirations for his kids, and seeing his son become an artist wasn’t his first choice. But here now, is my dad and myself wearing the shoes I designed, representing our story and people, with one of the biggest footwear companies in the world,” Javier added.

“My dad is now my biggest fan and supporter, and am honored to tell our story and hopefully encourage the many Filipinos, Asian Americans, and first generation immigrants who share this same story,” the artist continued.

Javier has designed three footwear styles, including a slip-on, high sneakers, and Vans slides.

Each design element shows pieces of Filipino culture, such as the Filipino flag checkerboard, the carabao (water buffalo), the sampaguita, the rice field worker, and the “Nipa Hut.”

According to the Vans website, the high sneakers are available for $105 (or PHP 5,600) and have the following design notes:

• Filipino water buffalo “carabao” represents the hard work and resilience of Filipinos.
• National flower of the Philippines, sampaguita flower.
• Redesigned Vans checkerboard, “Checkerbayan” utilizing the flag of the Philippines embedded into the artwork.
• Red, yellow, blue, and off-white colors are inspired by the Philippines flag.

Meanwhile, the slip-on retails for $85 (or PHP 4,500), with these design notes:

• Filipino warrior and rice farm worker skull motifs on the upper.
• “Mabuhay” or the Tagalog saying “long live!” (Used as a greeting or to express good wishes).
• Redesigned Vans checkerboard, “Checkerbayan” utilizing the flag of the Philippines embedded into the artwork.
• Red, yellow, blue, and off-white colors are inspired by the Philippine flag.

The Vans slide variety will be available “later this month,” as told by Javier.

Photo Credit: www.instagram.com/_djjavier

Source: www.instagram.com/vanssurf, www.instagram.com/_djjavier, https://www.vans.com/en-us/shoes-c00081/sk8-hi-138-decon-vr3-sf-pvn0a4bx7815, https://www.vans.com/en-us/shoes-c00081/slip-on-vr3-sf-pvn0a4bx8815