Vans Celebrates Día de Muertos With Mauro Garfias

For its latest Día de Muertos release, Vans departs from predictable sugar skulls and floral clichés, partnering with Mexican designer Mauro Garfias for a deeply personal collection titled “Homenaje.” Rather than relying on surface-level holiday motifs, Garfias grounds the design narrative in the intimate, sensory memories of traditional ofrendas—specifically the earthy sweetness of camote (sweet potato) and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar).

The collection translates these culinary heritage elements into a rich color palette across iconic Vans silhouettes. The Old Skool adopts terracotta, wine, and warm orange hues reminiscent of slow-cooked camote, while the sleek Super LowPro works with rich coffee and caramel tones inspired by piloncillo. To elevate the footwear into wearable craftsmanship, Garfias uses precise relief embossing and delicate embroidery to mirror papel picado, the traditional perforated paper art that adorns Mexican altars.

By merging the ephemeral beauty of folk art with California streetwear heritage, Vans and Mauro Garfias deliver a respectful, culturally resonant tribute that moves Mexico’s living traditions from the altar straight to the pavement.

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