OTW By Vans x Parra – Half Cab LX (9.24.24)

Sep 19 24 under Collaborations, OTW By Vans | Leave a comment

“When a Parra x OTW by Vans iteration of the classic Half Cab leaked on Go Skateboarding Day in June, rumors swirled that the colorful creation would touch down before the year was out. Now, those rumors have been proven partially true. A Parra x OTW by Vans Half Cab is indeed releasing. However, it’s a different color: the iteration shown on Go Skateboarding Day was a friends and family variant, and now we’ve been provided with a first look at the general release pair.

Both styles take the Half Cab’s classic design lines and alter them with Parra’s famous wavy brushwork, but the colorblocking is vastly different. Where the friends and family pair heavily used grey, the general release iteration is significantly more colorful, with the upper doused in Parra’s signature mixture of oranges, greens, blues, reds and pinks from heel to toe. “I like the poppy colors, like the oranges, blues and pinks,” artist Piet Parra, the founder of the eponymous brand, noted to Artist Up Close in a past interview. “This is the palette that makes me happy.”

Other special details present on the sneaker include custom tongue and collar labels, while crisp eggshell midsoles and white laces round off the look.

Look for the Parra x OTW by Vans Half Cab to release on September 24. It’ll be priced at $135 USD.”

OTW by Vans x Slam Jam by FUCT – Collection (9.18.24)

Sep 7 24 under Collaborations, OTW By Vans | Leave a comment

Here’s one of those Vans collaborations that makes us wonder why it took this long to finally happen. OG Triple OGs FUCT have been around forever, and they’ve linked up with Slam Jam to get this collection produced. There’s a total of 5 different pairs being offered, three Authentic Reissue 44 LXs and 2 Old Skool Reissue 36 LXs, both in the new OTW by Vans builds, featuring a slightly new build, including removable padded insoles, and new heel tab logos.

The colorways for the Authentics will come in Black/Marshmallow, Racing Red/Black, and White/True Blue, while the Style 36s will be offered up in Black/Marshmallow, and White/True Blue. Each pair features a canvas print with the FUCT logo repeating throughout. The vulc sidewalls feature an embossed msg that says “CHAOS IS ORDER”, and the bottoms of each shoe feature a clear waffle sole with Slam Jam logos peeking through. The collection also features a custom box and dust bag, which is a nice touch for this premium release. We love the details!

These will be released on the Slam Jam site, as well as the FUCT site next week. The Authentics are $114, and the Style 36s are $123.

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OG Made In USA Vans Breakers vs. Lowland 2.0 Breakers – Comparison Shots

Aug 23 24 under 31 Days of Vans, ComfyCush, Heritage, History, OTWS, Reviews, UTP, Van Doren, Vans Family, Vintage, Waffleheads | Comments Off

Here’s something I felt like you’d all appreciate! Here’s the inspiration for the Vans Lowland 2.0 Breakers. The OG Made in the USA Vans Breakers! Now, those deep into our Vans collecting community know about these, but some of you have never even heard of ’em. Rare and obscure. Consider yourself lucky to own a pair of the new version, if you got em.

Scroll to the end to see a few vids, including the original ad for the Vans Breakers, which I bought off eBay over 15 years ago and am so stoked to finally have a reason to share it.

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Vans – Lowland 2.0 Breakers (Waffleheads BBQ 2024 Friends & Family Exclusive!)

Aug 22 24 under 31 Days of Vans, ComfyCush, OTWS, UTP, Van Doren, Vans Family, Waffleheads | Comments Off

Vans Lowland ComfyCush 2.0 “Breakers”. Here they are peeps. The official pics of the shoe gifted to us by Steve Van Doren for this year’s 31 Days of Vans gathering at Vans HQ. To say I didn’t expect these, was an understatement, but I am thoroughly excited. The Vans Breakers that these were inspired by, have been sought after by Vans collectors for decades, but unobtainable due to their rarity and high prices. Consider yourself lucky to own these if you were lucky enough to be blessed by SVD!

Stay tuned for something cool I am working on in regards to these

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Waffleheads – 31 Days of Vans Wrap-Up BBQ at Vans HQ! (8.15.24)

Aug 21 24 under Events, Friends, History, OTWS, UTP, Van Doren, Waffleheads | Comments Off

Well folks. Clayton and I managed to pull it off again. Not sure how, but Steve Van Doren graciously hosted another Waffleheads event at Vans HQ, to wrap up this year’s 31 Days of Vans. I am beyond grateful, and it’s humbling to see everyone come out and support us, most being my close friends and family, who I do acknowledge are there to support me, but they understand how important this is to me, and to my community of Vans nerds. I have converted many to Waffleheads, mainly through our love of sneakers, but I think my eVANSgelism is rubbing off on them, as they see just what our community is about, and the vibes we all have. How can you not love us? Also, a big shout out to everyone that had to travel, whether by plane or roadtrip. I know it’s not easy, or cheap, so I appreciate you. Sorry to those we couldn’t invite, but if you can somehow promise that you can attend next year, I will do my best to extend the invite. Shit, if we have to sell admission or pairs of the shoes, would you still be down?! I’m open to any options to keep this thing rolling FOREVER!

We’re all unique. We find our own paths within’ this growing community. We all come from different walks of life, and our demographic is a marketers worst nightmare (Ages 0 – 100+ jk!). We had babies less than one year old at the event, and we had quite a few folks with a lot of wisdom and knowledge under their belt as well! I was absolutely in awe at the family atmosphere we had, and you definitely felt the love. I really admire that we were able to represent for our “Vans Family” which is proof to be a real thing. To quote the late Paul Van Doren, “It was always about the people, and never about the product”. I hope that’s what everyone felt when they went home afterwards.

We had the honor and privilege to be around some great folks that evening. Steve Van Doren was the center piece to it all, and I’m glad he didn’t have to grill this time, and got to mingle and take pics with any and everyone who went up to him. Christian Hosoi was back again, which was just so dope. You have no idea. He’s one of my favorite skaters of all time. His Vans shoes are by far my favorite to collect, and boy does he got stories to tell. We love you Holmes! Rian Pozzebon was in the building again, this time just chilling and chopping it up about the good old days of Vans Syndicate, Vault, and the stuff our core collectors just eat up. Thank you for hanging with us afterwards at Salty Bear too, sir! Always a great time.

Steve ordered us a huge spread of BBQ and sides, and boy did it not disappoint! They provided beverages, including some beer and wine this time, which was a surprise. Not sure if they thought it was going to be a 21+ event or not, but sorry if they thought it was! For future reference, if we ever get invited back again, we can skip the alcohol if it means we get to bring back all the families. That’s number 1 on my priorities. But we thank Vans, and everyone they had on hand to help out. Kristy, Bob, and everyone else who we just don’t know on a personal level YET! We plan to, because we owe you a debt of gratitude as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Obviously, y’all have seen the shoe that Steve had made for us this year, which was a Lowland 2.0 model, heavily inspired by the original Vans Breakers from the Serio line of the 80’s, which were made for breakdancing. I was completely caught off guard with it, to be honest, but I personally knew the significance of the shoe, and what it was inspired by, but I was at first a little worried about what some would think of it. The Breakers are a Vans collector’s grail. They’re so damn obscure, and rare, and expensive on the resell market, so most will never own a pair. That is until now. Word is, these will be releasing later on, but not sure how, as our pairs are a Zero SKU project, aka Van Doren Approved collection, similar to other private projects he has done. Zero SKUs are gold to us! We will just have to wait and see, but I will create a separate post for just the shoe pics whenever I get around to it. Be patient!

All in all, I am just humbled. Completely filled with love and joy after an amazing and long weekend, filled with lots of hanging out, and endless sneaker talk. We also did our annual meetup on the following Saturday at Blends Costa Mesa, which is where this whole idea started 3 years ago. I posted up those pics too! Thank you again to everybody who came out to support, and I hope you thoroughly enjoyed yourselves. I am just happy that you came out to support me and mine. I love y’all! -Bill (Guamstyles)

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Vans x Supreme – “Fuck ‘Em!” Skate Sid (6.13.24)

Jun 10 24 under Collaborations, Supreme | Comments Off

Supreme has worked with Vans® on a custom version of the Sid. The shoe features a premium suede upper, leather lining and insole, vulcanized waffle outsole, custom heel label and inset leather graphic on side. Made exclusively for Supreme, the Sid will be offered in three color ways.

Available June 13th.

Available in Japan and South Korea June 15th.

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Atiba Jefferson Named Vans “Brand Curator”

Apr 9 24 under Friends, Heritage, History, NEWS | Comments Off

When we found out that Vans had chosen Atiba Jefferson as a Brand Curator, we felt as if the skies had opened up to the heavens above. This is that big of a deal to us, as you can tell by this personal write-up. I couldn’t think of a better choice for this role of curating collaborations, connecting people, and guiding Vans’ progression in this new era of change. He’s been around the culture for longer than most of you kids. The culture, meaning all of it. Skate, streetwear, music, fashion in general, and there’s no better resume than having first-hand experience. I’m hoping he finds a way to connect us “old heads” to the newer generation, through dope story telling, and relevant collaborations. We’re looking forward to this, and we couldn’t be more stoked on the news (that’s obviously about a month old now lol, sorry!)

PlayLab Builds Sterling Ruby-Inspired Skateable Structure for Frieze LA

Mar 6 24 under Collaborations, Events, OTW By Vans | Comments Off

Info via Hypebeast:

“PlayLab has plopped a bright orange pyramid in the middle of Los Angeles Art Week. The California-based design studio has joined forces with Vans to properly commemorate the skate imprint’s new OTW line; the OTW offshoot is rooted in collaborations with trailblazing creatives and just dropped off its first drop dubbed “Clash the Wall” in collaboration with Sterling Ruby‘s S.R. STUDIO. LA. CA.

Drenched in a bright orange hue – one of Ruby’s signatures, and also one of the colorways of the “Clash the Wall” sneaker – the pyramid is a fully functioning skate ramp. The ramp stands at a whopping 12 feet tall and rests – clashes, that is – amidst an otherwise bland, void-of-color, industrial complex.

The sustainability-focused studio tapped into its archive of recycled materials to craft the statement structure, compiling a mixture of scaffolding and Skatelite paper composite to build a split-level pyramidal ramp equipped with a wall behind it.

“We wanted to take an iconic form in skate culture, the hill, and interpret it into a surreal sculpture,” PlayLab’s cofounder Archie Lee Coates IV told Dezeen of how he looked to Southern California’s skate scene to inform the design.

“At the center of the installation is a pyramid, split and shifted to create angles and edges for skaters to play off of. This pyramid is placed within a massive cyc wall, which serves both as a skate feature and an immersive visual color field.”

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OTW by Vans x S.R. Studio – Clash The Wall (March 2024)

Mar 5 24 under Collaborations, OTW By Vans | Comments Off

Info via Hypebeast:

“Vans’ new collaboration-focused offshoot OTW by Vans is starting off strong with its first drop. As a collective that looks to partner with influential individuals who actively push culture forward, OTW enlisted the likes of local Los Angeles creative trailblazer and seasoned skateboarder Sterling Ruby and his S.R. STUDIO. LA. CA. to serve up a vibrant visage for the “Clash the Wall” sneaker – which pulls design features from four iconic Vans silhouettes.

Dipped in hues of neon green and orange, the “Clash the Wall” sneaker draws from Sterling’s distinct artworks – including soft sculptures, quilts, backdrops and bespoke garments. “Clash the Wall” melds features from the Old Skool 36, the Authentic, the Mid-Skool 77, and the Sk8-Hi models to devise a versatile mold for the modern-day skater.

“I loved skating, I still do. Everything about it represents freedom to me. From the simple rituals of dropping in on a vert ramp or grinding over a curb, the act of skateboarding defies gravity and is in and of itself rebellious,” Ruby explained in a statement of his personal ties to the launch.

“This collaboration is a personal collaboration, the first S.R. STUDIO. LA. CA. collaboration. Vans feels right to us, it defines a certain West Coast history. The company started in 1966 and has run in tandem with so many skaters, bands, and movements that have been influential to me, my art, and how my studio runs as a whole.”

Available in 2 colorways: Green Gecko, and Orange Pop. Retail price is set at $160.

Combines 4 of Vans’ Classic iconic shoes: The Sk8-Hi 38, Mid-Skool 37, Old Skool 36 & Authentic 44
Custom S.R. Studio LA. CA. Branding on sidewall, footbed and tongue label
8 oz. Canvas
Full grain leather collar lining
100% Cotton laces, woven flag label
Higher sidewall with gloss finish, foxing tape with original 90’s Osnaburg reinforcement and iconic Vans Waffle tread
Insole: Sola Foam All-Day-Comfort (ADC), anti-fatigue, 30% bio-based material
Custom packaging

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Vans Japan x HYSTERIC GLAMOUR – Old Skool (2.26.24)

Mar 5 24 under Collaborations, Japan Only | Comments Off

Info via Hypebeast:

“Vans has tapped HYSTERIC GLAMOUR to put its own spin on the footwear imprint’s signature Old Skool model. Enveloped in all-over HYSTERIC GLAMOUR logos, the Vans x HYSTERIC GLAMOUR Old Skool melds skate culture and car culture in a clean and classic silhouette.

The collaborative Old Skool’s were “inspired by American muscle cars,” as indicated on the Vans website. HYSTERIC GLAMOUR box logos cover the side panels, with heel overlays and toe boxes arriving in classic black suede. Midsoles come in all-white, with HYSTERIC GLAMOUR’s “SEE NO EVIL” stamped on the back of each sneaker’s heel.

White laces round out the upper, with dynamic outsoles featuring the same HYSTERIC GLAMOUR box logos on the right shoe and a bright blue HYSTERIC GLAMOUR motif on the left. The insoles also take the same bright blue hue, complete with Vans and HYSTERIC GLAMOUR co-branding.”

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