A Day At The New Vans Corporate Headquarters (8.30.17)

Sep 17 17 under Articles, Customs, Events, Friends, Heritage, History, NEWS, OTWS, Reviews, UTP | Comments Off

I know it’s been a few weeks since we were invited to tour the Vans Corporate Headquarters, but life has really been in the way and I haven’t been able to really sit down and write. I mainly wanted to share with you, some random photos that I was able to take while touring this amazing new facility. Situated right off the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, just West of Harbor Blvd., perfectly visible from the freeway, stands this gigantic checkerboard wrapped building, with an even more giant Vans logo on each side of the building. It’s even more magnificent from the inside courtyard, where you’ve all seen that big red staircase that connects all 3 floors together.

I started out my day meeting up with the Strictly Waffles fam Eddie and Joey in the parking lot. We arrived inside to all of our Vans PR friends, and a few familiar faces I’ve met at past events. We were provided with some breakfast items and Stumptown Coffee which is the coffee of choice throughout the main cafe, and the coffee kitchens situated on each floor. I was all about that nitro cold brew that was on tap, served up by their very own barista Brandon. This was too awesome.

The day of course started with a nice introduction from Steve Van Doren, and his sister Cheryl, talking about what was important when asking employees about what they wanted the new building to have, as well as making sure it was a place that made you love being at work. There are private think spaces throughout the entire building, an outdoor courtyard complete with a bell that can be rung and heard throughout the entire place, when you make a significant achievement, and there’s even a game room loaded with air hockey, foosball, and shuffleboards to blow off a little steam on. Vans memorabilia is on display almost everywhere you look. Band collab shoes, custom Fender guitars, and even the Vans Born Free 9 motorcycle that was built by Thompson Cycles. Read More

Goodhood: A History Of Vans Interview With Henry Davies of @pillowheat #theothersideofthepillow

May 22 17 under Friends, Heritage, History, Interviews, Vintage | Comments Off

Goodhood recently caught up with Vans’ #1 vintage Made In USA collector/archivist, and a friend we know well, Henry, of The Other Side of the Pillow. If you want to step up your vintage Vans game, we suggest you take a lesson or two from @pillowheat, because we do, and we’re always learning something new, and uncovering new vintage Vans all the time. We don’t want to step on the interview, so we’ll just let you read it over on Goodhood’s site!

Vans Showcases Breadth of Classics Collection and Honors its Five Footwear Icons (Style Guide)

Mar 8 17 under General Release, Heritage, History | Comments Off

With more than 50 years of “Off The Wall” design heritage, Vans honors the legacy of its five Classic icons – Authentic, Era, Old Skool, Sk8-Hi and Classic Slip-On – showing the original action sports brand is Not Just One Thing. This latest campaign and video highlights Vans’ Icons through a compilation of images bringing to life the creative spirit that has connected Vans with artists, athletes, musicians and designers for decades.

When Vans opened for business in 1966, Paul Van Doren’s promise was to provide affordable, quality footwear for all. The original footwear model, the Authentic, was quickly enhanced to meet the demands of skateboarding as skaters of the Dogtown era adopted Vans’ sticky waffle sole to carve and surf the pavement. That organic partnership with those early innovators brought forth the introduction of the Era, Old Skool, Sk8-Hi and Classic Slip-On. These five silhouettes remain in the line today and are the DNA to the thousands of styles that have been designed and released since 1966.

The Authentic, Era, Old Skool, Sk8-Hi and Classic Slip-On serve as a blank canvas that transform within an individual’s creative self-expression. Whether its skateboarding, exploring, sketching or just showing off your personal style, Vans Classic Icons live through all forms of creativity. Those who live and wear Vans Classics are Not Just One Thing.

To see the latest offering of Vans’ Icons visit the Vans Classics Style Guide and shop the diverse range of colors, prints and style iterations at Vans.com/Classics.

more pics after the jump

Vans, the Icon of Creative Expression, Highlights the Diverse Meaning of “Off The Wall”

Feb 21 17 under Articles, Heritage, History | Comments Off

Words via Vans:

“Vans, the original action sports and one of the largest youth culture brands in the world, today announced the release of its global campaign, This Is Off The Wall. Following up on Vans’ 50^th anniversary series, which welcomed newcomers to the brand’s rich heritage and thanked decades of loyalists, the 2017 campaign focuses on creative expression, the core of Vans’ “Off The Wall” culture.

To demonstrate the breadth of activities and pursuits that define “Off The Wall,” Vans has developed a digital campaign utilizing a range of film techniques, from slow motion to time-lapse, focusing on the creative endeavors in action sports, art, music and street culture that Vans champions. Vans showcases the essence of “Off The Wall” through a diverse set of ambassadors within a hero montage and a series of shorter spots.

“The meaning of ‘Off The Wall’ is the very ethos of Vans, the very identity of our brand – its everything we stand for,” said Doug Palladini, Vans Global Brand President. “We’re pleased to tell this inspiring and sincere, five-decade-long story through our family of ambassadors who have been brought together by their diverse passions for creativity.”

This Is Off The Wall taps into Vans professional athletes, artists, musicians and style purveyors who have long and personal histories with the brand. Their stories are each unique and told through a variety of tones, but ultimately shine a light on the passions that Vans has always supported. The visual nature and emotions that are evoked in each story are easily translatable around the world, showing that creative exprAession is inclusive and without borders.

Fara Howard, Vans’ VP of Global Marketing, shares, “It’s hard to assign one definition to ‘Off The Wall’, so we wanted to deliver a campaign that truly shows how our mantra takes shape through various forms of creativity. Whether that’s through music, surfing, skateboarding or customizing a pair of shoes, all the stories told will communicate the distinct way in which Vans looks at the world.”

“Off The Wall” was a term coined when skateboarders in the mid ‘70s were landing new tricks in empty pools by literally skating off the wall. At that time, skateboarders were outcasts of society who expressed themselves through the style of their sport. These individuals were not only the pioneers of skateboarding, but also lived and breathed creativity through art, music, fashion and local culture. For more than 50 years, “Off The Wall” has been synonymous with that original spirit of rebellion and creative expression.

Visit www.vans.com/#offthewall to watch the This Is Off The Wall series and visit www.houseofvans.com to see how “Off The Wall” will come to life throughout the year.

Vans Announces the Opening of House of Vans Chicago with Performances by Future Islands, Digable Planets and Noname (2.3.17)

Jan 25 17 under Bands, Events, Heritage, House of Vans | Comments Off

Words via Vans:

“Vans, the original action sports brand rooted in art, music and street culture, is pleased to announce House of Vans Chicago will open its doors on February 3, 2017. The opening event will be marked with special live performances from Future Islands, Digable Planets and Chicago-based breakout artist, Noname.

The two-day celebration kicks off with music and will include a photography retrospective highlighting photos shot at House of Vans by emerging photographers Jonathan Mehring, Bryan Derballa, Ashley Osborn, Ryan Kobane and Laura June Kirsch. On February 4, House of Vans Chicago will host two artist-led workshops, which include “Copy Jam” mixed media workshop with Chad Kouri and “Caught in Motion” Skate Photography workshop with Atiba Jefferson. In the evening, House of Vans Chicago will welcome the community with an Open House where guests can skate the newly built skatepark and check out design elements that have been incorporated with Chicago in mind. As the only existing indoor skatepark in the Chicago metropolitan area, local skaters will experience a custom-built course, featuring the reimagination of iconic West Coast skate spots, Lockwood and China Banks, plus additional obstacles for every skill level. The backdrop to the Lockwood-inspired obstacle features an ivy-covered wall that pays homage to Wrigley Field, using ‘66, Vans’ founding year as the outfield distance marker. Additionally, guests can enjoy a beautifully repurposed Goose Island brewpub bar that was originally located steps away from Wrigley Field. Located at 113 N Elizabeth St., House of Vans Chicago will always be free and open to the public.

“Chicago has a rich and eclectic history across action sports, art, music and street culture akin to Vans’ own roots and ‘Off The Wall’ ethos,” said Doug Palladini, Vans’ Global Brand President. “It’s an honor to bring House of Vans to life here in Chicago so we can grow our Vans family and give back to the creative communities that make this city so vibrant.”

House of Vans Chicago – Schedule

· January 24: RSVP Open Now http://www.houseofvans.com/

· February 3: 6:30pm Grand Opening: Performances by Future Islands, Digable Planets and NONAME, Photography Retrospective

· February 4: 12:00pm – 2:00pm “Caught in Motion” Workshop with Atiba Jefferson

3:00pm – 5:00pm “Copy Jam” Workshop with Chad Kouri

6:00 pm – 10:00pm Community Open House

As the cultural hub of the Vans brand, this opening marks the third permanent location – the original in New York’s Greenpoint neighborhood and the second nestled within the Old Vic Tunnels beneath London’s Waterloo Station. Functioning as an art gallery, music venue, skatepark, indie film premiere house, artist-led workshop and more, the House of Vans is where “Off The Wall” lives and serves as a direct connection to the Vans brand worldwide.”

more pics after the jump

Vans Vault x Robert Williams – More Pics From The Event!

Jul 28 16 under 50th, Collaborations, Events, Heritage, History, Vault | Comments Off

I admit I’m not the best when it comes to media coverage of events, and that’s why I try to provide a more personal approach to my recaps. Thankfully we have other nice folks at Vans willing to cover our asses when it comes to the media side of things, providing much more outstanding photos than I was able to take. Thank you Vans once again, and hopefully we’ll meet up again for another one of these things.

Enjoy about 70 awesome pics after the jump!

Vans Vault x Robert Williams – Release Party Recap (7.23.16)

Jul 26 16 under 50th, Collaborations, Events, Friends, Heritage, History, UTP, Vault | Comments Off

When our friends at Vans send out the invite for a special occasion, you know we try to do our best to provide you with the same experiences that we are fortunate to have. As a true Vans fan boy, I’ll always consider myself lucky to be a part of these things, and to be able to rub elbows and chop it up with like-minded individuals about Vans…it just doesn’t get better than that. This was a night to celebrate Robert Williams though, and his collaboration with Vault by Vans for Vans’ 50th Anniversary celebration, and just like I’ve done in the past, I want to take you along for the evening’s festivities as if you were there with me, like I hope most of you wanted to be.

continue after the jump

Red Bull Presents: The Ripple Effect S1 Ep2 | Vans (Video!)

Jul 13 16 under 50th, Heritage, History, Interviews, Videos | Comments Off

Red Bull has this really cool video series called The Ripple Effect, where they feature different brands in the action sports world, and for episode 2 of their inaugural season, they featured our beloved Vans. This is hands down one of the most thoroughly entertaining and knowledgeable videos about Vans’ history, their identity, and their vision. Sit back and enjoy this 23 minute video, featuring some familiar friendly faces!

Vans – U.S. Open of Surf 2016 Collection

Jun 21 16 under 50th, Contests, Events, Heritage, History, Surf | Comments Off

Words via Strictly Waffles

“Just ahead of next month’s event in Huntington Beach, CA, Vans has released the annual US Open of Surfing collection. Consisting of 5 men’s styles, the collection features one Slip On, two Authentics, an Old Skool, and Sk8 Hi.

Three models in the collection feature a photographically printed sunset and palm tree graphic. The Sk8 Hi opts for black canvas vamp and heel counters while the printed canvas drapes the entire upper of the Slip On and Authentic.

The other two pairs in this set make use of the classic checkerboard pattern which the brand is so well known for. Both heel counters of the Authentic and the Old Skool are wrapped in the black and white check canvas while the vamps are dressed in red suede for the Authentic and blue on the Old Skool. Additionally, the US Open of Surfing logo is printed along both sides of the Authentic’s midsole.

The Vans US Open of Surfing 2016 Footwear Collection is available now from Vans.com. If you are in Huntington Beach and would rather pick them up in person, head to the event from July 23 – 31st. ”

Vans Announces the 1st Annual Vans BMX Street Invitational (6.25.16)

Jun 17 16 under BMX, Contests, Events, Heritage, History, NEWS, Pro | Comments Off

The first ever Vans BMX Off The Wall BMX Street Invitational is a unique BMX Street event that brings together the biggest names in BMX Street riding – from the undisputed gold medalist to the video filming champ to the local boy battling it out at the Vans Off The Wall Skatepark & Jack’s Garage in Huntington Beach, CA.

The Vans BMX Street Invitational honors the sport’s elite as they illustrate their style across urban terrain including stairs, handrails, ledges and banks. The inaugural event welcomes the world’s best BMX street riders including Dakota Roche, Ty Morrow, Dan Lacey, Sean Sexton, Bruno Hoffmann and more.

more info after the jump