# Creative-Collaborative Skate Shoes Imran Potato Joins Vans OTW on the Knu Skool Sneaker By Amy Duong | Published 2024-04-04 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/knu-skool References: [highsnobiety](https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/imran-potato-vans-interview/) & [highsnobiety](https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/imran-potato-vans-interview/www.imranpotato.com)  Imran Potato works in collaboration with [Vans OTW](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vans-otw-x-undercover) to create his own collaborative Vans [Knu Skool](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zhang-quan-1) sneaker. It is defined by the weather-resistant insulation described by Potato as "a fat Old Skool." Imran Potato explains, "[With my Vans collabs] I usually go for shoes I personally wear. Even though the Potato Vans might seem far-off from the rat slippers, they still hold personal value to me because I’ve been into oversized sneakers forever." The Knu Skool is a silhouette that is from the 90s and the new look boasts a puffier update than the standard design with internal elevations as well. There is a [Primaloft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/everyone-tokyo-fallwinter-2025) later that rests under the suede-formed upper to keep the wearer warm and dry. It is rounded out by rugged outsoles and a dramatic tongue. Image Credit: Vans, @rayscorruptedmind ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 39% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 22% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Weather-resistant Sneakers:** Innovative materials offer weather-resistant insulation for enhanced performance and comfort in footwear design. - **Oversized Sneaker Trend:** Designs featuring oversized silhouettes cater to the growing demand for bold and statement footwear styles. - **90s-inspired Sneaker Revival:** Modern updates to nostalgic 90s silhouettes combine retro aesthetics with contemporary design elements for a fresh appeal. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Footwear Manufacturing:** The incorporation of advanced insulation and design techniques opens up opportunities for creating innovative and functional footwear for various purposes. - **Fashion Collaboration:** Collaborative projects between designers and brands result in unique and personalized products that resonate with a diverse consumer base seeking exclusivity. - **Material Innovation:** Advancements in material technology drive the development of performance-enhancing features in footwear, catering to the demand for both style and functionality. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Knitted Heritage Skate Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/knit-pack.md) - [Collaborative Textural Skate Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/one-star-pro-2.md) - [Graphic Skate Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vans-otw-x-undercover.md) - [Textural Update Skate Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zhang-quan-1.md) - [Streetwear Skate Remixes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-future.md) - [Textured Sneaker Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beams-and-vans.md) - [Technical Denim-Worked Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vans-otw-and-fdmtl.md) - [Premium Explorative Skate Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/otw-by-vans-1.md) - [Multi-Color Skater Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parra-and-otw.md)