Where motorsport heritage met global streetwear at Complex NYC

Opening the Room

On Friday the 13th, from 6 PM to midnight, Complex in New York City became the backdrop for a collaboration that needed no explanation. Geedup Co and Vanson Leathers celebrated their latest joint effort with complimentary drinks, live tattoos, a motorbike installation, and a performance lineup that anchored the room culturally.

The anticipation was already baked in. Weeks of teasers culminated in a digital masterclass of craft, headlined by Nicky Stitch, Geedup’s “Head Builder.” He caught everyone’s attention on socials with a 1-of-1 Geedup x Vanson leather hat sculpture that took a full week to create. Watching that process—the molding, the stitching, the raw labor—primed the crowd. They weren't just showing up for a drop; they were showing up for a high-stakes build.

The installation took two days to construct, and it showed. The space felt considered from every angle. The room was intentional. Industry heavy, yes. But also family. Real supporters. Musicians. Designers. Streetwear heads who understand construction and legacy.

Heritage, Racing, and Streetwear Diplomacy

Vanson Leathers has been a leading name in motorsport leather for over 50 years, operating out of Fall River, Massachusetts. Through the 90s and early 2000s, the brand carved out a secondary identity in fashion, becoming iconic not just in New York but globally. Every piece in this collaboration was handmade in America, staying true to that legacy.

Geedup, born in West Sydney in 2010, has grown into a dominant force in Australasian streetwear, with expansion into New York, Los Angeles, and London. The brand was built for go-getters and underdogs—people who faced closed doors and dead ends and broke their way into the building anyway.

Together, the collaboration read like a handshake between two brands that earned their reputations the long way. This connection was captured perfectly in the collection's graphics, specifically the "Sydney to Massachusetts" tagline that bridged the gap between Geedup’s roots and Vanson’s home turf.

The Capsule

The collection itself is a masterclass in balance, utilizing a tight, authoritative color palette of black, white, and hits of racing gold. The undisputed heavy-hitters are the Bones Jackets, which dropped in two essential colorways: a sharp, classic black-and-white and a more muted, tonal cream-and-white.

But the drop didn't stop at the leather. They rounded out the capsule with pieces that feel like daily uniforms:

• The Team Logo x Vanson Hoodie.

• The "Forever & Always" Tee, featuring a globe graphic that cements the global reach of the collab.

• A set of Hats in both black and cream.

The cream hat, in particular, felt like a trophy in the room, given it was the very silhouette Nicky Stitch used as the blueprint for his week-long sculpture project.

Inside the space, a motorbike sat as both prop and proof. Guests took photos, studied the stitching, and ran their hands across jackets built with actual racing-grade quality. These were not novelty pieces; they were built to last.

The Crowd and Cultural Energy

The room was full of people who understand what they are looking at when leather is constructed properly. The kind of crowd that doesn't need a DJ to tell them when to pay attention.

I spotted familiar faces like Moneymade Eli and SIRE moving through the room. Young M.A also stopped by to support, and Alex Wolf’s presence confirmed that the tastemakers were definitely paying attention. The energy felt balanced. Not chaotic. Not overly curated. Just aligned.

Soundtrack of the Night

Music was held down by MixxyPayne, who kept the vibe steady throughout the evening. Later, 41 took the floor, featuring Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, and Tata. The performance was lively without being over the top. The crowd clearly knew the music; you could feel that familiarity in the room. It wasn't forced hype.

Live Ink and Open Bar Culture

Live tattoos by Nyla Nune added another experiential layer. Live tattoo booths have quietly become a new standard at fashion-forward gatherings. I am not complaining. This year might be the year I break my "tattginity."¹

Behind the bar, High Noon kept the spirits flowing. Clean branding. Easy drink. Socially recognizable. Details like that signal exactly who the room is for.

Beyond the Jackets

What made the night strong was not just the leather or the performance. It was the sense of appreciation from the guests. Many donned previous Geedup and Vanson releases. That's a type of love you can't fake.

Fashion is community. This drop was a masterclass in how collaborations should be—every party bringing what they are experts at and creating some fly shit. And that is something worth documenting.

Shoutout to TK and Da’Von of Vanson on an amazing collab. Special thanks to Complex, High Noon, and everyone involved in this rollout.

¹ Tattginity: the first time you get a tattoo. Mine remains unbroken.