Entertainment

Vans Old Skool 36 Souvenir Blurs the Lines Between Street Art, Rebellion & Luxury: ‘Everything About the Shoe Was Custom-Made’

Published

7 months ago

October 14, 2025

Vicky

Every now and then, a sneaker arrives that refuses to fit neatly into a single category. The Vans Old Skool 36 “Souvenir” is one of them — pulling direct inspiration from Chanel’s cult-classic 2015 On the Pavements Messenger (aka the Graffiti Bag), a rare piece famously worn by rappers Lil Yachty and Central Cee, to create a silhouette that exists at the crossroads of skate culture, streetwear, music, and high fashion.

Born in California’s skate scene, Vans has long been the uniform of rebels, musicians, and those who carve their own paths. Chanel, in contrast, is the epitome of Parisian refinement, structured, polished, and timeless. On paper, they are worlds apart. But in practice? The Souvenir Old Skool proves rebellion and refinement can share the same canvas.

When the bag debuted under Karl Lagerfeld in 2015, it sparked conversation. Paying thousands for a canvas messenger splashed with graffiti, enamel pins, and frayed tweed shocked luxury purists. But that was the point. It blurred the line between street and couture, between authenticity and aspiration. Fast forward ten years, and Vans has reimagined that same ethos through a skate lens, turning a once-divisive luxury statement into something both accessible and subversive.

Vans Old Skool 36 Souvenir

Chris Claxton

“The main design inspiration was centered around the idea of traveling — what you’d see while traveling to certain places, what you’d wear while traveling to these destinations, and what you’d take home with you,” says designer Greg Betty. “For this shoe, I wanted to make something that signified the end of a long journey — like a stamped-up passport or a stickered-up Rimowa — but tied to something iconic and undeniable that multiple generations of fashion lovers would get right away. The Chanel On the Pavements Messenger Bag checked multiple boxes.”

The design details make that connection undeniable. The upper features a dirty-dyed, olive-toned canvas that feels lived-in from day one. The classic Vans jazz stripe trades clean leather for frayed, multicolor tweed, a direct nod to Chanel’s signature fabric. Scattered across the upper are enamel pins that flip Chanel’s smiley-face and yin-yang motifs through Vans’ own lens, while leather accents and metal hardware elevate the finish. It’s grungy, glamorous, and grounded all at once.

“Everything about the shoe was considered and custom-made,” Betty explains. “From the colors and thickness of the tweed, to the placement of the distressing and embroidered paint splatter, to the graphic motifs on each pin… It was truly a team effort to make sure the storytelling was felt.”

The result? A sneaker that doesn’t just borrow from Chanel, it converses with it. This is luxury filtered through skate sensibility, where imperfection becomes intentional and wear tells a story. The Souvenir isn’t a souvenir from a single trip, it’s one from decades of culture converging: skaters in Southern California, models in Paris, rappers in London, and musicians in New York all intersecting through design.

Vans Old Skool 36 Souvenir

Chris Claxton

And people noticed. The Souvenir Old Skool sold out almost instantly, proving that when streetwear and luxury meet in the middle, the world pays attention. As Betty reflects, “The reception has been extremely overwhelming, beautiful, and affirming. Seeing the interest is amazing, but the discourse and educational moments that have been brought up because of this shoe has been a pleasure to witness. I think more than anything, people loved the intentionality and care behind the design.”

From a wearability standpoint, the sneaker holds up beyond its concept. The materials feel premium — sturdy canvas that softens with wear, tweed that frays with character, and enamel pins that add personality without gimmick. It fits true to size, though wide-footed wearers may prefer a half size up. This attention to quality makes it one of Vans’ most elevated offerings to date.

But what truly sets the Souvenir apart is what it represents. It’s more than a reworked Old Skool, it’s a cultural remix. In a moment where artists like Lil Yachty and Central Cee blur the line between streetwear and high fashion, Vans steps confidently into that same conversation, proving skate culture has always influenced the runway. The Souvenir isn’t chasing luxury, it’s redefining it through authenticity.

So, is it a Flex, Trade or Fade? For me, this one’s a Flex — no question. The storytelling, the craftsmanship, and the symbolism all line up. It’s a sneaker that proves fashion, music, and skate culture aren’t living in separate worlds anymore — they’re sharing the same stage. The Souvenir Old Skool doesn’t just celebrate that connection; it embodies it.

But what do you think? Would you Flex, Trade, or Fade the Vans Old Skool 36 Souvenir?

Vans Old Skool 36 Souvenir

Chris Claxton

Entertainment

Which New Music Release Is Your Favorite This Week? Vote!

Published

3 weeks ago

April 25, 2026

Vicky

It’s the final new music Friday (April 24) of the month, and everyone from Noah Kahan to Kehlani and Suki Waterhouse have put forth some of their best work as May waits just around the corner.

This week, Vermont’s favorite folk-rock singer-songwriter finally returned with a new album after four years of Stick Season, his breakout album that reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The Great Divide is 17 tracks of Kahan reexamining his worldview after struggling with his mental health in the years since he found fame.

And, as if taking cues from the success of first-ever Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit “Folded” (which reached No. 6 on the chart in January), Kehlani leans fully into classic R&B flavors in an intentional push to recenter the genre’s traditions. “All the R&B artists, we want R&B to be back,” the artist told Billboard ahead of being named Billboard Women in Music’s Impact honoree. “We want good, long songs. We want three verses and bridges and modulations and all the things – we want that too. We just didn’t think anybody else wanted it. I have an allegiance to the genre, and I’ll keep it there.”

On top of the bounty of new albums, several artists have released fresh singles — including Suki Waterhouse, who returns with “Tiny Raisin” shortly after announcing her next album, Loveland, as well as Hayley Kiyoko and Gigi Perez, who teamed up for heartfelt duet “Collide.” Plus, Dylan Gossett adds “My Boy” to the mix, written as a letter to his son.

But which release is your favorite this week? Let Billboard know by voting in the poll below.

Entertainment

Celeb-Loved Juicy Couture T-Shirts Are On Sale for $8 Right Now (If You Hurry)

Published

3 weeks ago

April 25, 2026

Vicky

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

It’s been almost three decades since the LA-based casual wear brand Juicy Couture first hit store shelves, and the Hollywood-loved label has made its way back into the spotlight in recent years thanks to the Y2K trend resurgence and newfound love from influencers online.

Best known for its T-shirts, handbags and yes, those velour tracksuits (reportedly designed exclusively for Madonna at first), Juicy Couture pieces were seen on practically every major celebrity in the 2000s, from Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, to Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian. Musicians like Miley Cyrus, Nicole Scherzinger and even Beyoncé have also been spotted wearing Juicy Couture, and now, a new Amazon deal makes it easy for you to get into some JC as well.

LIMITED TIME DEAL

Table of Contents

Juicy Couture Cap Sleeve T-Shirt (Five-Pack)

$38.24 $44.99 15% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Amazon is selling a five-pack of Juicy Couture T-shirts right now for just $39. Part of the “Juicy Sport” line, the cropped T-shirts are made from a super soft and breathable “performance” fabric that features a touch of spandex for easy movement and stretch.

That makes the T-shirts as ideal for a workout or yoga session as they are for pairing with your everyday ‘fits. The crop top look leans into the Y2K aesthetic and Amazon’s website shows the shirts styled with shorts, leggings and mini skirts alike.

This Amazon deal gets you five Juicy Couture T-shirts for under $40. That brings the price of each tee down to less than $8 — a virtually unheard of deal for generic T-shirts, let alone a brand name pick.

We like the five-pack above, which gets you a T-shirt in two shades of pink (including a light pink with the signature Juicy Couture cherries), plus navy blue, gray and black. You can choose from other color combinations online. The tees are available in sizes small to XXL.

ALSO AVAILABLE

Juicy Couture T-Shirts (Three-Pack)

$29.74

Buy Now On Amazon

Don’t need five T-shirts? Amazon also sells a three-pack of Juicy Couture tees for just $30, bringing the price of each individual shirt to under $10.

ALSO CONSIDER

Juicy Couture Queen of Everything Mini Duffle Bag

$45.09 $79.00 43% off

Buy Now On Amazon

And if you need a bag to take to the gym (or for an overnight stay), we like this mini barrel-style duffle bag, on sale for 43% off. The two-tone bag measures approximate 8.2 x 4.9 inches in size, which is enough room for your wallet, keys, change of clothes and toiletries. Choose to carry the bag via the top handle or with the detachable shoulder straps.

All of the above picks are officially-licensed products sold through Amazon’s Juicy Couture storefront. As with all Amazon deals, the sale prices could end at anytime, so we recommend adding the deals to cart while they are still live.

Entertainment

Head Back to Hawkins With New ‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’ Soundtrack

Published

3 weeks ago

April 25, 2026

Vicky

Netflix is bringing us back to the ’80s, and it’s making sure we have the right music for the occasion.

On Wednesday (April 22), Billboard can exclusively reveal that an original soundtrack is coming this week for the brand-new animated spin-off series Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. The score album, composed by Brad Breeck (Gravity Falls, We Bare Bears), will be released globally Thursday (April 23) at midnight ET.

Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 also arrives Thursday on Netflix, bringing viewers back to the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, in the ’80s and reuniting us with some of the original show’s main characters. And much like Stranger Things, music plays a large role in the new show.

“This collection bridges the gap between the eerie depths of the Upside Down and the vibrant, neon energy of the mid-’80s,” Netflix said in a statement.

Tales From ’85 will feature not only a brand-new version of the original Stranger Things theme song, but the first episodes also include a selection of ’80s hits from artists like Black Sabbath, Billy Idol, Cyndi Lauper and more. Needle drops throughout the series include “We Got the Beat” by The Go-Go’s, “A Forest” by The Cure and “We’ll Meet Again” by Vera Lynn, “Rebel Yell” by Idol, and Lauper’s Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Time After Time.”

If it’s anything like the original show, artists with songs played in the new series could see a bump in streams and chart placements in the aftermath of the show’s premiere. After featuring the songs in pivotal moments, Stranger Things brought Kate Bush‘s “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” to a new peak of No. 3 on the Hot 100 in 2022, 37 years after its initial release, while Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” made its debut on the chart the same year, 36 years after it came out.

Fans can pre-save Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series) by Brad Breeck here, and find the full score track list below.

Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series) by Brad Breeck track list

Flamethrower (artists: Brad Breeck feat. Brian Parkhurst)
Kids Riding Bikes
Big Snowstorm Coming
Someone In There
HIC Theme
I Just Saved Your Life
Strange Stones
Gotta Go Dark
How Long Is Detention
Sewer Chase (artists: Brad Breeck feat. Brian Parkhurst)
Towns
Clean Up
Investigating Pumpkins
Heaven Eleven
Nice Time Tonight
Storm the Gates
What Were These Things
Ground Rules
seluR dnuorG
Her Royal Nastiness
We Have To Try
Tales from ’85 End Titles (artists: Brad Breeck feat. Cooper Babbes)