From preserving Y2K nostalgia to embracing skate culture’s fluid evolution, Umayr Mohamed reveals how Vans continues to stay ahead of the curve, both in performance and style. He delves into the revival of the Hylane silhouette—a bold and fresh interpretation of the iconic Upland skate shoe
Glamour: The Hylane silhouette draws from the original Upland shoe—what were the key design elements you wanted to preserve or elevate in this revival?
Umayr: We kept the chunk—oversized tongue, 3D logos, glossed Sidestripe—but leveled it up with modern detailing, tech, and colorways that still nod to the Upland’s legacy.
Glamour: Y2K nostalgia is having a major moment—what about that era felt right to revisit now, especially in the skatewear space?
Umayr: Y2K skate shoes had presence; loud, padded, expressive. That same energy is back, and the Hylane fits the moment perfectly.
Glamour: From chunky silhouettes to glossed Sidestripes and 3D logos, there’s a bold aesthetic here. What kind of mood or vibe were you hoping the new colorways would capture?
Umayr: Fresh energy with a familiar feel. The palettes push things forward but stay true to the Hylane’s bold, skate-rooted identity.
The Hylane is rooted in skate heritage but feels at home in streetwear too—how did you approach that balance between form and function?
Umayr: We kept the tech legit; grippy outsole, padded collar—but gave it a streetwear silhouette that can move between skateparks and city scenes.
Glamour: How do you see today’s generation redefining skate style, and where does the Hylane fit in that evolution?
Umayr: Style is fluid now. The Hylane speaks to that—skateable but fashion-forward, expressive but grounded in function.
Glamour: The reverse waffle outsole and Cold Cement Cupsole feel like nods to performance—how important was it to keep the shoe skateable, even as fashion-forward?
Umaryr: Performance matters. The Cold Cement Cupsole and reverse waffle outsole make sure it’s not just about looks. It can handle the wear too.
What does the Hylane say about where Vans is headed, creatively and culturally, in 2025 and beyond?
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