Joe Freshgoods did not take his foot off the gas once in 2022, and he’s starting this new year off with even more movement. The Chicago designer paired up with the team over at Vault by Vans to present a head-to-toe winter collection inspired by travel and leisure through the lens of the Black experience. This collection features apparel, footwear and accessories that all revolve around a concept called, “Chocolate Valley Resort.”

The lookbook for this collection is set in the 1950s and follows the story of a Black writer who is trying to find space to reset, relax, and reconnect in a place called, “Chocolate Valley Resort.” This concept is an ode to Black writers in the 50s and 60s such as James Baldwin and Audre Lorde. It was extremely common for Black writers in this time period to take frequent trips overseas in an attempt to find a space outside of America where they weren’t subjected to harsh racism; somewhere where they could breathe freely and find serenity.

Commonly worn in the Midwest, Joe Freshgoods found inspiration for this collection in classic workwear and utilitarian details. Using bright colors and modern silhouettes, these new items were born from the idea to keep movement and creativity in mind. The collection features a soft buttercream puffer coat with elongated sleeves and an oversized puffer tote to match, a faux mohair cardigan, a premium cabin tee, a pair of uniformed cargo pants, a two-for-one balaclava beanie, and two pairs of shoes in two different colorways. Check out the images below to find your favorite items, and decide what you’re gonna cop when this collection drops.

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Where can I find the Joe Freshgoods x Vault by Vans “Chocolate Valley Resort” Collection?

The Joe Freshgoods x Vault by Vans “Chocolate Valley Resort” collection will be made available for purchase on January 21 on Joefreshgoods.com and in-person at the Every Now & Then retail location in Chicago, IL. (1008 W. Lake, Unit 2) On January 27, this collection will be available for purchase on Vans.com and at select Vault by Vans retailers across the globe.