Vans Names SZA as Artistic Director, Announces Multi-Year Partnership

Vans announces a multi-year creative partnership with one of the most influential music and style leaders, SZA. As Vans’ Artistic Director, SZA will work closely with Vans to reimagine upcoming campaigns and co-create exclusive product collections that fuse her unique vision with the brand’s creative and youthful spirit.

SZA is a revolutionary artist shaping the emotional tone of a generation. Through her genre-defying sound, she brings authenticity to the forefront, creating space for both softness and powerful expression. She challenges fashion norms and cultural expectations that empower youth to own their story. In her, we see the essence of Off the Wall, an artist who leads with creative intention and self-acceptance, while encouraging others to do the same.

“In Vans, I feel free!" says SZA. “I've been wearing Knu Skools and other styles for years; they've always had an ethos I connect with. As Artistic Director, my mission is to show that joy, community, creativity, and fashion are all still intersectional. That humanity, culture, and connection are still the access points. I’ve learned that bravery and curiosity are the cures for uncertainty; it’s a lifestyle, and Vans champions that spirit. They stand where I stand, and I’m honoured to invite a whole bunch of people to stand Off the Wall with us."

Vans and SZA come together to showcase an original brand anthem dedicated to the beauty of becoming. The debut campaign is a dreamy ode to expressing vulnerability through self-reflection, art and style, spotlighting one of SZA’s favourite Vans footwear styles, the Knu Skool in Black/White. The campaign was directed and photographed by Sophie Jones and styled by Alejandra Hernandez. The Vans Knu Skool, originally designed in 1997, reimagined the classic Old Skool™ for a new generation in the late ‘90s. Influenced by skateboarding design, the Knu Skool features modern restyling of the original silhouette and includes a puffed-up tongue and 3D Sidestripe, as well as chunky, oversized laces.

The Vans Knu Skool in Black/White is available to shop now across select Vans retail locations and at Vans.co.za. View the Vans and SZA brand anthem here.

Shop Knu Skool

ABOUT SZA

SZA, the five-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter, has achieved global prominence with her distinctive musical style and emotionally raw, introspective lyrics. Her major label debut album, Ctrl, was a commercial and critical success, earning five Grammy nominations. RIAA-certified 5x Platinum, Ctrl features the Diamond-certified hit “Love Galore” and several multi-platinum songs. SZA's sophomore album, SOS, along with its expanded version SOS Deluxe: LANA, both debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and spent thirteen non-consecutive weeks at the top. SOS is currently 8x Platinum and holds a record-breaking streak on the Top R&B Albums chart, remaining at No. 1 for 117 weeks and counting. Across all platforms, SZA has amassed over 70 billion streams worldwide.

SZA's career is marked by significant accolades, including Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations. She has secured an impressive 77 wins, including a fifth Grammy Award this year for "Saturn" (Best R&B Song), eight Billboard Music Awards, eight BET Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, and three American Music Awards. Her recent co-headlining Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar stands as the most successful duo tour in history. Beyond her musical achievements, SZA made her big-screen debut in the 2025 comedy film One of Them Days, which topped the box office at No. 1. SZA continues to exemplify fearless creativity, a testament to her immense popularity and record-shattering achievements.