The Sneaker Museum Cologne opened, “This is the Sk8-Hi- Style #38,” a show focusing on the legacy of the Vans Sk8-Hi shoe. The show will be on exhibit through September 30, and is presented in collaboration with the Skateboard Museum Berlin and the Cologne sneaker shop, The Good Will Out.
In 1978, Vans designed the Sk8-Hi, which was the brand’s first high-top lace-up style. The sneaker severed as an important functional development, as the ankle is the most stressed area in BMX and skateboarding. The shoe is especially important to Cologne, which has a strong skate culture.
Over the years, the Sk8-Hi has become an iconic style for streetwear and has been associated with some iconic figures. Some of the most famous collaborations, including work with Metallica, KISS, The Prodigy, The Beatles and Disney, are on display at the museum. Vans has teamed up with streetwear brands WTAPS, Stussy and Supreme for Sk8-Hi designs.