Given that Fugazi have never shown any inclination whatsoever to sell merchandise, the launch of a news Fugazi x Vans trainers collection has raised eyebrows, and raised hackles online. Not least because this new collection has absolutely nothing to do with the Washington DC hardcore band.
"I’m guessing someone from vans will reach out to us," Dischord Records, the label co-founded and owned by Fugazi vocalist/guitarist Ian MacKaye posted on Instagram in response to Vans launching the line by offering free pairs of trainers to those showing up at Vans Le Marais in Paris.
The Fugazi that Vans are collaborating with is a Los Angeles streetwear company founded in 2018 by entrepreneur Trevor Gorji. In a hilariously over-the-top profile of the brand by NSS magazine, its described as "a brand that would defy norms and make luxury accessible without compromising on quality."
"Fugazi's success is not just about its products," the profile states. "The brand stands out for its narrative approach and commitment to the community... Each collection is accompanied by reflections on themes of authenticity, illusion, and resistance."
