When MISCI unveiled Escapismo Tropical in Rio de Janeiro in April, the clothes were not the only element attracting attention. Presented at the Sambódromo Marquês de Sapucaí, the collection looked beyond familiar ideas of Brazil, exploring identity and the realities of those who call the country home. Making its debut on the runway was a new collaboration with VEJA. What happens when those ideas take the form of a sneaker?
The most interesting collaborations often begin with a shared point of origin. Not because the brands involved speak the same visual language, but because they are shaped by common experiences and values. Although VEJA and MISCI have developed in different directions, both have built their identities around an ongoing relationship with Brazil. That connection forms the foundation of this partnership.
Officially revealed as part of Escapismo Tropical, the project reimagines the Paulistana, VEJA’s retro running silhouette, through the lens of Airon Martin’s creative universe. Over the past few years, Misci has become one of the most compelling names in contemporary Brazilian fashion, drawing on culture, territory, and miscegenation to create collections that examine identity through a distinctly modern perspective. VEJA’s relationship with Brazil has followed a different path. Since its founding in 2004, the brand has worked directly with producer communities across the country while developing a model centred on transparency and responsible production. Different approaches, perhaps, but both brands share a desire to place Brazil at the centre of the conversation instead of treating it as a backdrop.
The Paulistana appears in two asymmetric colourways inspired by the movement and contours of Brazilian dunes. Curved lines introduce a sense of fluidity, while sculptural volumes give the silhouette a distinctive presence. Pirarucu leather, a material frequently explored by Misci, adds texture through its characteristic scales, reinforcing the relationship between craftsmanship, landscape, and design. “Identity, design, and responsibility as a fashion language” are the pillars of the collaboration, according to the brands. Available worldwide now, the VEJA x MISCI collaboration arrives at a moment when Brazilian fashion is attracting growing international attention.
