Supervsn founder Gavin Mathieu doesn’t care about the hype. He doesn’t want to see his first official sneaker collaboration reselling for a bunch of money or becoming inaccessible to his core fanbase. Like everything that Mathieu has done since starting his streetwear brand in 2017, community comes first.
“Don't have anxiety about this shit,” Mathieu tells Complex. “ Don't try to resell this. If you want it, buy it. Wear it. Love it.”
The founder of Supervsn still made sure to create a piece of his HOKA project that's a bit more exclusive. Two pairs of Cliton One9s will release to the public in “Mantis Green” and “Ice Grey.” You will be able to shop the green pair on Complex. The third colorway will be much harder to come by. In fact, there are only 99 pairs of “Neon Gold” Clifton One9s in existence. It’s the rarest sneaker that HOKA has ever produced.
“HOKA is known for very vibrant, fun hues. We've been able to deliver on that, but we also have in the 'Ice Grey' colorway, a mellow alternative," says Thomas Cykana, Senior Director of Global Collaborations at HOKA. "I think that balance is really striking."
The Supervsn x HOKA Clinfton One9 is coming soon to Complex.
Traditionally, HOKA is seen as a performance footwear brand. It has become popular with runners and hikers for its thick-soled Clifton and Bondi models that offer insane levels of comfort. Lately, the brand is attempting to tap into the lifestyle market a bit more. A project with Supervsn is a stride in the right direction. While the Clifton One9 is features tooling initially used on a performance model, it is part of the brand's lifestyle assortment.
“HOKA makes the most comfortable shoe in the world. Supervsn has great design and great storytelling,” says Mathieu. “You put those two together, this is the product.”
Ahead of the Supervsn x HOKA Clifton One9 drop on July 31, we sat down with Mathieu to learn more about his first footwear project.
Who Is Supervsn?
Supervsn is a streetwear brand that was founded by Gavin Mathieu in 2019. Its designs reinterpret wardrobe staples through an updated lens that represent Los Angeles and its rich subcultures. Think rainbow tie-dyed cargo pants or button-ups featuring airbrushed artwork. Mathieu also always makes sure to weave key LA figures into Supervsn’s storytelling, from the Williams sisters to Tupac. The brand’s authentic ties to its home city and community-driven approach have piqued the interest of collaborators like Union, Tommy Hilfiger, and New Era over the years.
In 2023, Mathieu expanded the Supervsn universe by opening a flagship store on Slauson Ave. in LA’s View Park neighborhood. In addition to selling the brand’s latest products, the space also doubles as an incubator for the LA community that hosts panels, art shows, and other one-off programming.
What Made HOKA the Right Partner for Supervsn?
Mathieu initially connected with the HOKA team in Paris around two years ago. When it came time to collaborate, it wasn’t just about making the hottest product. Mathieu felt that Supervsn and HOKA shared a lot of the same values.
“It's with HOKA because I feel like we're the HOKA of the industry,” Mathieu tells Complex. “We do things our way, run our race, and don’t really try to chase hype or trends.”
What Inspired the Supervsn x HOKA Clifton One9?
Matheiu explored the theme of Inner Space Exploration. That means that he wanted this project to be viewed as the “anti-hype.” Rather than get caught up in trying to impress others, get more in tune with yourself and your own beliefs.
“We wanted to lead people into a journey of self exploration,” says Mathieu. “It is cool to just be yourself, be honest, and just be true to who you are.”
Of course, Los Angeles also played a major role. While it doesn’t come through in specific references or imagery, Matheiu used LA to determine the colorways for each pair.
“I think LA is a subtle confidence,” says Mathieu. “LA is the healthiest city in the world. This is a healthy looking shoe. This shit makes you feel like you can go outside and drink a green juice.”
What Does Each Colorway of the Supervsn x HOKA Clifton One9 Represent?
Each pair from the Supervsn x HOKA trio looks at nature and spirituality from a different angle. The “Mantis Green” pair is inspired by the Praying Mantis. More specifically, Mathieu wanted to channel their spirituality, maturity, focus, and patience. “Neon Gold” is about one’s inner personality. Finally, the “Ice Grey” is supposed to represent the three stages of water: gas, liquid, and solid.
What Are Some of the Design Details on the Supervsn x HOKA Clifton One9?
The HOKA Clifton One9 is a fusion of the Clifton 1 upper and Clifton 9 midsole tooling. Inline pairs feature an open-mesh upper. Mathieu has replaced it with ripstop nylon that is semi-translucent when shined under certain light. Supervsn also added reflective outlines to the TPU cage overlay and reflective threading throughout the laces that provide even more pop when the flash hits these.
Smaller design cues include Supervsn’s signature neon green branding tab on the lateral side of each shoe, which is a first for HOKA, and neon green branding hits across the tongue. A Supervsn logo replaces the usual HOKA branding on the left heel.
Where Can I Buy the Supervsn x HOKA Clifton One9?
The “Mantis Green” and “Ice Grey” Supervsn x HOKA Clifton One9s will release on July 31 through hoka.com and supervsn.com. The “Neon Gold” colorway is a friends and family exclusive. The “Mantis Green” color scheme will also release on Complex. Pairs will be $165.
Complex will also sell a variety of matching apparel for the “Mantis Green” including gradient ripstop tracksuits, graphic T-shirts, zip hoodies, and shorts that will range from $50-$110.
How Should I Style the Supervsn x HOKA Clifton One9?
Due to their performance background, HOKAs are pretty versatile. You can dress them up with a pair of cargo pants and a button-up just as easily as you can toss them on with some mesh shorts and a T-shirt.
"I think it's so integral to build a conversation that people can see these objects living in their every day and complimenting product that they already have, rather than trying to push a whole new look on someone," says Cykana. "We're really excited to see HOKA fit harmoniously into how people already dress and how they live every day."
Mathieu is also looking forward to seeing people pull off their pairs in a variety of ways.
“This whole collection is about doing yourself. Be true to you and be honest about who you are,” says Mathieu. “You could dress it up. You could dress it down. It could be the statement piece or it could be just a subtle piece that mixes in with the fit. It’s versatile.”