OTW by Vans has linked up again with Undercover for a collection featuring the Old Skool 36 and Era 95 styles, which tribute the art of Josep Baqué and Undercover founder and designer Jun Takahashi. The collection will launch Oct. 29 and can be found on vans.com/otw with prices set at $120 and $135.
The OTW by Vans x Undercover Old Skool 36 celebrates the imaginary creature drawings of Josep Baqué and the Era 95 showcases embroidered Jack Russell Terriers sketched by Takahashi.
Josep Baqué, who lived from 1895 to 1967, was a municipal police officer born in Barcelona. During his quiet life, he secretly created more than 1,500 intricate drawings. He began creating his hybrid creatures, combining human and animal traits, in the 1930s, using ink and gouache, and at times embellishing with gold and silver. The range of the monster drawings included primitive people, giant spiders, serpents, snails and fantastical fish. He organized his 454 plates into nine thematic groups and stored them in a handmade case, but he never pursued recognition for his artistic endeavors in his lifetime.
Baqué’s work stayed hidden for almost 40 years following his death, with his niece safeguarding the art. His work was at last revealed in 2007 when the Collège de ‘Pataphysique exhibited 160 of his drawings and published a feature in Viridis Candela.
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Baqué’s work was also a source of inspiration for Undercover’s fall 2025 collection. More recently, the Undercover spring 2026 collection was presented during Paris Fashion Week, drawing inspiration from French plush artist Anne-Valérie Dupond.
OTW by Vans and Undercover previously collaborated on a collection released in 2024, including the Sk8-Mid and Era styles; the former looked read “Anarchy Is Key” while the latter style paid homage to Dracula.
Among many collaborators, the boundary-pushing OTW by Vans line has also worked with the menswear-inspired independent magazine and apparel brand HommeGirls; their second capsule collection was released in April. Another release belonging to OTW by Vans is the Old Skool 36 FM style, which was revealed in an immersive installation amid Milan Design Week earlier in 2025.
