Louis Vuitton artistic director Pharrell Williams previewed a new skate sneaker called the Combi ahead of the brand's Spring/Summer 2027 show. The design features a vulcanized midsole and crocodile leather upper that closely mirrors the classic Vans Authentic silhouette. Vans responded online within hours of the preview.
The Combi incorporates thick laces, a canvas-style upper remade in crocodile skin, and a Vachetta leather heel tab. It appeared online days before the scheduled Tuesday night presentation.
Vans replied in the comments of a Highsnobiety Instagram post with the phrase “ohhh bet.” The brand then shared an image of its own OG Authentic shoe captioned “Wanna know the time. Better clock us,” a lyric from the 2006 Clipse track featuring Williams.
Colorways of the Combi, including plain white, black, and monogram versions, are being released gradually. Other fashion houses such as Phoebe Philo, Prada, and Bottega Veneta have previously offered similar interpretations of the skate shoe silhouette.
Williams posted on his Skateboard account with the caption “feeling the heat” after the exchange.