How ‘Kids Of Immigrants’ And Vans Are Paying Homage To Immigrant Families With ‘Work A Day In Our Shoes’
Kids Of Immigrants Team; Debbie Gonzales, a first-generation Mexican-American; Christian Gray, a first-generation Jamaican-Belizian-American; Daniel Buezo, a first-generation Honduran-American; and Weleh Dennis, a first-generation Liberian-American.
MARIO KRISTIAN AND DAVID CAMARENA
Written by Cassell Ferere originally published on Forbes
'Kids Of Immigrants' was founded by two kids of immigrants, Daniel Buezo and Weleh Dennis. Daniel of Honduran lineage and Weleh of Liberian heritage. Spanning two coasts, the Brooklyn native, Daniel, and Sacramento raised Weleh found common traits that started their brand and today has initiated a collaboration with Vans, aptly called “Work A Day In Our Shoes.”
Kids Of Immigrants x Vans collaboration. Lowland CC footwear silhouette with a canvas-like worn finish.
This shoe collaboration reflects more than admiration for aesthetics and design between the two streetwear and skate culture pinnacles, it is a homage to the generation that sacrificed to have the following generation succeed. Daniel understands this as doing "the best with what we have" as many immigrant families know of when leaving their home countries and coming to America with high hopes.
Kids Of Immigrants x Vans collaboration. Lowland CC footwear silhouette with a canvas-like worn finish.
This Vans shoe has a refined Lowland CC footwear silhouette with a canvas-like worn finish. Inspired by the father of KOI founder Daniel Buezo, who has been a longtime construction worker, the shoe is designed in a way that is receptive to the labor given. An individualistic by-product can be cultivated through a personalization.
Daniel Buezo, co-founder of Kids Of Immigrants.
Helping tell that story of individuality is the KOI team who has been a feature in the lookbook. All having similar migrant backgrounds as first-generation citizens.
Mel Peralta, Senior Director of the Greenhouse app which will be a platform for you to purchase the Vans x KOI sneaker says, "The Greenhouse team is composed of a first-generation Chinese-American, Brazilian-American, and Dominican-American, so working with the brand Kids Of Immigrants isn’t just a great partnership, it describes us, our families and their respective journeys to the U.S." This is the kind of brand that makes KOI founders feel like they are working with a purpose.
Kids Of Immigrants x Vans collaboration.
This is also why they found working with Vans to be fitting. Having creative freedom and being able to express their personal stories through this shoe help share perspective for the brand and culture. Daniel recalls, “Vans allowed us to share our story without any pushback. Also, to see Weleh come full circle with the brand was inspiring for us all.”
Weleh Dennis, co-founder of Kids Of Immigrants.
The journey for any immigrant family is a tough one. The two founders always sought to remember their roots as they grew. They also understand the possibilities are endless with hard work.
“I used to work for the company on a retail level…and now, I am part of the design process and sharing it with our community [and] culture. It’s inspiring,” Weleh, as he reminisces of a humbler time for him in fashion.
Kids of Immigrants x Vans collaboration.
With a brand motto of “We are the leaders we are waiting for,” Daniel puts the pressure on himself to create the inclusive future that we all desire. Weleh also remains passionate as his desire to create grows, sharing “perspective that is true to our ethos,” as he describes it.
The collaborative Vans shoe silhouette is available on October 2 through the Greenhouse App and KOI website. As it is designed with the inspiration of hard labor and workwear, these shoes highlight the working class citizen. This is the foundation for Daniel and Weleh, as they move forward with their brand and future collaborations.
Vans will also be donating $5000 to A New Way of Life, in celebration of the collaboration. This non-profit supports and provide for women rebuilding their lives after release from prison. Kids Of Immigrants will be partnering with A New Way of Life, building a community garden of fruits and vegetables at the new home in Los Angeles, currently hosting 8 women.
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