Nocturnal was an open brief exploring how the Vans Authentic could be reimagined while remaining true to the model’s heritage. The project was rooted in the shoe’s connection to punk culture and its place within the hardcore scenes of the 1980s and 1990s, using material choices and storytelling to create a product that felt lived-in, rebellious and authentic.

The concept centred on the idea of a shoe shaped by nights spent in clubs and music venues. Distressed leather referenced a well-worn leather jacket, while greased foxing, reinforced rubber details and carefully placed metal studs echoed the DIY attitude and visual language of punk. Every material and detail was chosen to support a single narrative rather than exist as decoration.

Alongside the footwear concept, I developed a digital sales tool presented as a faux vintage zine featuring fictional advertisements and supporting graphics. Created as part of a broader exploration into the future of the Vans Authentic, it helped communicate the concept as a complete world rather than simply a footwear proposal.