Just a few weeks ago, Vans rocked the world of Harry Potter fandom with a major announcement: The shoe retailer is coming out with a brand-new collection that's inspired by everyone's favorite wizard and his magical realm.
It all started when Vans tweeted, "Something magical coming soon," with a link to its website announcing a collaboration with Harry Potter. For those keeping score, this collection comes on the heels of other popular Vans collabs, including ones with David Bowie and Led Zeppelin.
And now we finally have our first peek at the Vans x Harry Potter collection in all its mystical glory. Unsurprisingly, fans wasted no time commencing their collective freakout over the big news.
In case you missed it, Vans is about to drop something seriously major.
The shoe retailer recently shared this 12-second clip that features the iconic Harry Potter logo next to the Vans logo as the traditional Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw colors swirl around in the background. Cool as it is, I advise you not to stare at the clip for too long because, well, you're likely to get quite dizzy. I guess they wanted it to be a spellbinding announcement!
The Vans x Harry Potter collection is sure to be epic.
Fans are officially losing all cool whatsoever. Some HP devotees are even deciding to embrace Vans for the first time all because of this forthcoming collection. In other words, if the main objective of Vans is to use Harry Potter's insane worldwide reach to bring in new customers to the brand, they are definitely moving in the right direction. Well played, Vans.
Unfortunately, we still don't know when the collection is going to be released.
And let's just say that many people are getting a little — shall we say — impatient. It's no secret that Harry Potter fans are some of the most devoted in the world, so they are definitely already stashing money away for whenever the shoes become available for purchase.
As one Twitter user so eloquently put it: "I just need Vans to drop their Harry Potter collab already. I'm literally BEGGING you to take my money."
Farewell, money. It was nice knowing you.
There's no word yet on just how extensive the collection will be. Since it includes footwear in addition to men's and women's apparel and accessories, it's very possible that Vans x Harry Potter will be full of items you'll have a tough time saying no to. It might be a good idea to get your budget in order so that you can pick up all the pieces you want (which, let's be honest, is going to be everything).
Here's what we do know so far.
While the release date is still being kept behind closed doors, there are some insider details we can share about this highly anticipated collaboration. For starters, it's going to be styled after each house from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with four exclusive colorways in an equal number of Vans’ classic silhouettes — a Sk8-Hi for Gryffindor, an Era for Slytherin, Authentic for Ravenclaw, and the Classic Slip-On for Hufflepuff.
And there's going to be much more than we can ever prepare for tbh.
To complete the collection, Vans x Harry Potter will announce additional footwear styles alongside a selection of men’s and women’s apparel and accessories. Whether goofy foot or regular stance, Gryffindor or Slytherin, the Vans x Harry Potter footwear and apparel collection is intended to appeal to enthusiasts of both Vans and the Wizarding World that we all know and love.
Even though the designs aren't out yet, people are already staking their claims.
One Twitter user knows which shoe they're gonna add to cart as soon as they become available for the masses: "Vans are bringing out Harry Potter shoes!! They’re not out yet I don’t think but I need Hufflepuff."
I, for one, am definitely gonna need to get my hands on those Ravenclaw kicks. And maybe the Slytherin ones, too. Ugh, how am I supposed to limit myself?!
For now, we'll just have to admire the shoes in this exclusive first look.
Gryffindor’s Sk8-Hi has red-and-gold-hued stripes against black suede, complete with a matching Jazz Stripe and the house’s lion-emblazoned crest on the side. The Checkerboard Authentic design for Ravenclaw features matching blue laces and hints of bronze. As for the Hufflepuff Slip-On, it has yellow stripe detailing with "Hufflepuff" and the crest across the front. The Slytherin’s Era boasts fake snakeskin patterns in a silver and dark green colorway.
Some good news: The Vans x Harry Potter website is officially up and running.
There's not much content currently available, but what you can do is sign up to receive updates about the collection and when it will officially hit stores. You're likely to be the first to know when new pieces get added to the collection as well, including apparel and accessories. Will summer 2019 be the summer of all things HP? It sure seems that way.
And by the way, we totally expect these shoes to have magical abilities.
This Twitter user can relate to the wand choosing the wizard — it was such a powerful and iconic moment, and I fully plan on having an equally major moment when I wear these babies every single day. I mean, this is obviously how everyone ought to feel when they slip Harry Potter kicks onto their feet. I expect to be floating and casting spells like the best of 'em. That's not asking for a lot, right?
