Fall River’s Vanson Leathers Expands with Celeb Collabs and Durfee Program

The moment Kendrick Lamar belted "Mussttardddd!!!!" down in New Orleans, a historic moment was gifted to Fall River

When DJ Mustard stepped onto the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show stage, millions of viewers took notice – not just of his performance, but of his striking custom leather jacket.

What many may not have realized is that the eye-catching piece was crafted right here in Fall River by the legendary Vanson Leathers.

READ MORE: Fall River Company on the Super Bowl Halftime Stage

Owners Mike and Kim van der Sleeson, along with Community and Growth Director Greg Molinar and designer Davon Bean, Vanson’s first-ever Creative Director of Streetwear, joined Fun 107's MGM Show on Tuesday morning to share their excitement about the moment and the journey that led them there.

It was a packed room, but the stories were gold.

A Long-Awaited Super Bowl Moment

For Vanson, seeing their work showcased on the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show of all time was a defining moment.

“We work very hard for these opportunities,” Kim shared. “Last year, we were working on something for the halftime show, but it fell through at the last moment. This year, it finally happened.”

Despite logistical challenges – including last-minute design changes and shipping delays due to storms – the jacket made it just in time.

“We kept it under wraps, barely told anyone on our team,” Bean said. “When Mustard finally walked out wearing it, we were on a three-way call just freaking out, 'It happened!’”

The Connection to DJ Mustard

Vanson’s collaboration with Mustard didn’t come through the NFL, but rather through Bean’s direct relationship with the artist.

“We’ve been working together for about two or three years,” he explained. “He first wanted one of our star jackets for an Amazon Prime performance with Kendrick Lamar, so I had a strong feeling he’d be involved in the Super Bowl.”

Taking inspiration from Vanson’s iconic archives, Bean worked closely with Mustard to design a custom piece that would stand out while respecting the show’s restrictions on branding.

The result?

A sleek, high-quality leather jacket that screamed luxury and SouthCoast craftsmanship.

A Legacy of Quality and Celebrity Appeal

This isn’t the first time Vanson’s work has been worn by A-list celebrities. Lady Gaga was recently spotted sporting a Vanson jacket as well, though that moment came as a complete surprise to the team.

“That had nothing to do with us,” Kim laughed. “She just owns that coat!”

Vanson’s reputation for quality craftsmanship has been built over 50 years, with a commitment to creating long-lasting, heirloom pieces.

“We refurbish, repair, and make sure these jackets last for generations,” Kim said. “It’s not disposable fashion.”

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What’s Next for Vanson?

Following its Super Bowl success, Vanson is gearing up for more major collaborations. “

We have something dropping with French Montana next week,” Bean said. “We actually shot a commercial in Paris for Fashion Week.”

In addition, the company has partnerships lined up with Supreme, Amélie Pichard and Japan-based Mastermind.

“The demand for our work has been strong for a long time,” Kim said. “But the Super Bowl moment just brought even more recognition.”

Investing in Fall River’s Future

Beyond the high-profile projects, Vanson is also focused on giving back to the local community.

It has been working with high schools and colleges to inspire the next generation of designers and manufacturers.

“We’re launching a pilot program at Durfee High School to create workforce pipelines for students interested in fashion and manufacturing,” Molinar said. “It’s about keeping this industry alive in the city.”

From Hollywood to Fall River, Vanson Leathers continues to prove that quality craftsmanship and homegrown talent can make it to the biggest stages in the world.