Vans has just dropped the most extra version of its most low-key sneaker, and, naturally, it’s only available 4,400 miles away in Miami.
After last year’s pearl-drenched Slip-Ons broke the internet (and resale prices), Italian designer and professional embellishment maximalist Mattias Gollin is back with another round of artisanal skate-shoe chaos. This time, he’s taken the Vans Authentic, the classic you wore into the ground as a teenager, and turned it into a museum-grade flex called the Authentiche.
Each pair starts life as a standard black-and-white checkerboard Authentic before being shipped to Italy’s Marche region, where Gollin spends up to 8 hours covering them with around 2,000 pearls, crystals, and beads.
The lighter squares are rebuilt with pearl clusters and gold accents; the darker ones get layers of black beadwork that add a sculptural shimmer you definitely won’t see on anyone’s Everyday Checkerboards. His name sits subtly on the tongue and insole a quiet signature on an extremely loud shoe.
Naturally, the craftsmanship is reflected in the price. The Authentiche will set you back $750, making them one of the most expensive pairs of Vans ever to exist. If last year’s Slip-Ons are anything to go by, expect them to resurface on StockX before long with an even bigger price tag.
The catch? You can’t buy them online, or in London, or anywhere remotely convenient. The Mattias Gollin x Vans Authentiche releases December 5, 2025, exclusively via an appointment-only event at Art Basel Miami. Slots are allocated through Gollin’s website, and securing one still doesn’t guarantee your size, a charming touch of chaos that feels very on-brand.
This is Vans leaning fully into the art world, and Gollin leaning fully into his niche: turning everyday footwear into handmade, hyper-detailed showpieces. And for collectors, sneakerheads or anyone who’s ever wished their Authentics were a little more… jewel-encrusted, this might be the ultimate grail.
If you’re heading to Miami, good luck. If you’re not, well, at least they look great on Instagram.
Skip the search — follow Shortlist on Google News to get our best lists, news, features and reviews at the top of your feeds!
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
Two British makers unite for a limited-edition winter bootCraft, heritage and deer leather combine
-
Converse x Stranger Things custom shoe collection is out in less than a weekSuper-fan wallet buster
-
Cat Footwear celebrates 100 years with a Golden Gate-inspired boot built for iconsBuilt like a bridge
-
60 years of Vans: A brief history, from Z-Boys and skaters to sneaker staplesHow the deck shoe become an icon of slacker culture — and one of the most-loved sneaker brands in the world.
-
From street to peak: Sorel Callsign Horizon Low GTX is this season’s must-have all-weather sneakerRugged like a boot, easy on the toes like a trainer, Sorel’s Callsign Horizon will see you through those long dark nights.
-
Rockport launches official UK website amid 90s revivalAnother throwback
-
Best Vans trainers: Must have Vans sneakers for style and sportMade to skate, always look great
-
30 years of Air Jordan 11: Here are the nine new sneakers landing before 2026 to celebrateYear of the Black Cat
