Alessandro Michele is very good at making nostalgia cool. The creative director’s weaving between old-timey references and contemporary stylings is a masterful dance that’s distinct in execution. He brought that energy to the first Valentino Garavani and Vans collaboration last year, and has done it again for the second drop.

While the first drop focused solely on the Vans Authentic silhouette, the latest takes on another icon: the Classic Slip-On. The more minimal design of the Classic Slip-On allows the collaboration’s prints to completely take over. The sneakers are available in six variations, of which two are different colourways of the classic Vans checkerboard print interlaced with the Valentino VLogo. The other prints include the Tropical Leaves pattern, the VLogo Checkerboard with added dotted patterns, as well as the return of the Valentino Le Chat de la Maison motif from the first drop. This latest drop introduces a new Cherryfic pattern that follows the style of the aforementioned Tropical Leaves, where the back panel is decorated with the VLogo Checkerboard pattern, while the upper is riddled with motifs of cherries.

The brilliance of the Valentino Garavani and Vans collaboration is that Michele didn’t attempt to give the upscale treatment to leather, suede, or even silk. In sticking to the hardy canvas that Vans is already known for, the sneakers stay true to the original aesthetic of the 1977-released silhouette, and dare we say, exude a sense of authenticity. In fact, aside from the VLogos that have been incorporated into the prints, there are no other indicators on the exterior that identifies one as a collaborative pair. It’s an if-you-know-you-know without pretension.

The second chapter of the Valentino Garavani and Vans collaboration is now available in boutiques and online.