H2T offering highlights collective’s work to create an inviting space for women of color who ride waves
Vans, the original action sports brand and global icon of creative expression, is proud to announce the first-ever collection with Textured Waves, bringing to life the collective’s mission to amplify the unheard voices of women of color in surfing and create social change.
Nodding to the past while paving a foundation for future generations, Textured Waves wants to make it clear that the ocean belongs to everyone. For the women of Textured Waves, the ocean represents the renewed self-expression and self-acceptance that brings us all back to our natural state and directly connects us to earth’s fabric. Vans has teamed up with Textured Waves to capture this energy and pour it into a head-to-toe collection that mixes a natural palette of earth and ocean tones with a selection of playful and progressive pieces.
“Textured Waves was created to resurrect the stories of women that came before us, showcase the present, and open the door into the future,” Textured Waves Co-founder and Vans Family team rider Chelsea Woody said. “In creating this collection, we were able to include one of our community elders, Mary Mills, who is one of the first documented African American female surfers along with Andrea Kabwasa and Sharon Schaffer. We hope it serves as a reminder that we have always, and will always, be connected to the sea despite historical efforts to erase and deny access.”
The collection leads with the Colfax sandal in bombay brown, featuring a flocked texture on the straps as well as adjustable hook and loop closure and a synthetic nubuck wrapped EVA footbed. Also included in the footwear offering is the Sk8-Low Reissue SF in multi/marshmallow, and Slip-On SF in multi/asphalt, both featuring a playful allover abstract pattern as well as Textured Waves logo on the insole.
Leaning into utility staples with a twist, the Vans x Textured Waves apparel offering includes a wide leg pant with patch pockets in bombay brown and a Vans x Textured Waves jumper in asphalt. The Vans x Textured Waves boxy tee features custom screen-printed artwork in marshmallow, while a Textured Waves woven in bombay brown ties back to the footwear offering’s allover pattern.
Founded in 2019 by Chelsea Woody, Danielle Black Lyons and Martina Duran, Textured Waves sparked a movement to grow the culture around surfing for women of color and underrepresented demographics. Through representation, community and camaraderie, the collective has carved out an inspiring space for others to take the baton and create their own history. The ocean is for everybody, and this new collection from Vans and Textured Waves aims to uplift this inclusive message in the surf community and beyond.
