Vans Skate x Frog Skateboards – Old Skool Pro & Slip-On Pro (2.18.21)

Feb 1 21 under Collaborations, Pro | Comments Off

“Frog Skateboards and Vans have teamed up for a playful collection of footwear and apparel. Centered around quirky takes on the Old Skool and Slip-On plus matching apparel, the capsule’s intentionally expressive graphic prints and detail hits are a colorful reminder of Frog’s guiding principles: having fun and being inclusive.

The Old Skool presents a no-frills all-black canvas and suede base with white contrast stitching, but this simple bottom layer is merely meant to serve as a background for the design’s signature embellishment: a series of pink, yellow, blue and green silicone charms — frogs, stars, moons, hearts and more — that runs across the length of the Jazz stripe. On the other end of the spectrum, the collection’s Slip-On uses a multi-colored pattern with everything from coffee cups to peace signs and “skate-boar-ds” spellout graphics. This fun-loving assemblage sits above a timeless green foxing stripe, and a white midsole rounds off the look.

Apparel consists of four different pieces. A short-sleeve woven shirt replicates the pattern and colors of the Slip-On, and a water-resistant black hoodie more in line with the Old Skool features a line drawing down the front plus vibrant charms on the back. A long-sleeve tee plasters a scribbled Frog graphic on its front, and women’s-specific offerings include a all-over checkerboard print “Baby” tee plus a special baseball cap.”

Look for the Frog Skateboards x Vans collection to release via the Vans webstore and retailers come February 18.

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Vans – “Foot the Bill” Customization Program Returns to Support Small Business Partners (Jan 2021)

Jan 26 21 under Collaborations, Customs | Comments Off

Vans is excited to announce the return of its “Foot the Bill” program to help support small business partners throughout the country. Vans will be teaming up with independent shops and community driven spaces to create custom footwear and apparel that will be available for purchase online at vans.com/footthebill. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a devastating toll on small businesses, the net proceeds from the “Foot the Bill” merchandise will be going directly to each of the partners involved to help them navigate these difficult times.

Each participating partner’s “Foot the Bill” footwear and apparel will feature unique artwork that best represents its business. Through the Vans Customs website, customers will be able to support a business by selecting its unique design to create a custom pair of Vans. Participating partners will choose one Vans Classics shoe silhouette and it will serve as a canvas for the artist of their choice. Customers will then have the ability to use the Vans Customs tools to select color, print, and the material combinations to design a truly custom pair of Vans.

To kickoff this year’s “Foot the Bill” program Vans is proud to be partnering with small businesses and venues, Guerrilla Tacos (Los Angeles, CA), Smartbar (Chicago, IL), The Parks Finest (Los Angeles, CA), Red River Cultural District (Austin, TX), and Black Cat (Washington D.C.). For each of these businesses the funds raised by “Foot the Bill” will be beneficial for ensuring that their employees and establishments can continue contributing their services to their respective communities. The widespread affects of the COVID-19 pandemic have presented these businesses with an unprecedented amount of obstacles and stress as they have been tasked with adapting to state mandated closures of non-essential businesses and new guidelines for restaurant operations. Each of the “Foot the Bill” partners is a vital part of the community in which they reside, and Vans is committed to helping these independent businesses weather the challenges ahead.

“Last year’s “Foot the Bill” program sold 20,962 pairs of Vans globally and raised over $4 million for the participating partners,” said Carly Gomez, VP Marketing of Vans the Americas. “This unique opportunity to offer support to our extended Vans Family is the least that we can do to show our appreciation and thank them during hard times.”

Vans will continue expanding the support of the program by adding two to three small businesses to the list of “Foot the Bill” partners each week. Vans will be producing 1,000 pairs of Custom Vans shoes and 250 t-shirts per partner, based on demand. In conjunction with Black History Month all of the partners in the month of February will be Black-owned businesses. Also, Vans will be highlighting three Black-owned businesses each week in order to direct consumers to Black-owned businesses throughout the United States. Through efforts like “Foot the Bill” Vans is committed to championing inclusivity by supporting small businesses that are owned and operated by diverse communities

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Vans x Foo Fighters – “25th Anniversary” Sk8-Hi (1.29.21)

Jan 19 21 under Bands, Collaborations, General Release | Comments Off

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Foo Fighters will commemorate the 25^th anniversary of their self-titled debut album with Vans, the original action sports brand and global icon of creative expression. The 1995 release of Foo Fighters was the first major step in the ascent of Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jaffee to their esteemed position as the last great American stadium rock band. Vans will join forces with the 12-time Grammy winners to release a special, limited-edition Vans Sk8-Hi on January 29, days ahead of the February 5 release of Medicine at Midnight, the bands 10^th album.

Vans have been a go-to favorite throughout the Foo Fighters’ career, worn from the studio to stages all around the world. A high rotation style among its members, the band chose the Vans Classic Sk8-Hi for its timeless form, maintaining the iconic appearance of the silhouette and enhancing it with Foo Fighters’ signature emblem. The black, white and red details naturally lend to a perfect collaboration for both Vans and Foo Fighters.

The Sk8-Hi features black uppers with red contrast stitching, the Foo Fighters’ double F logo in white on the medial and lateral sides, and “Foo” and “Fighters” in red on the heel. A 25^th anniversary edition embroidery tag is found on the tongue, and the Sk8-Hi’s traditional Sidestripe is only hinted at, with its shape outlined in contrast stitching—a nod to Foo Fighters’ stripped-down musician style.

Vans Family members and Foo Fighters fans can sign-up to exclusively shop the Vans x Foo Fighters limited-edition Sk8-Hi on Vans.com/family. The Vans x Foo Fighters Sk8-Hi is available worldwide beginning January 29 at Vans retail locations and online at shop.foofighters.com and Vans.com.

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Vault By Vans x Slam Jam x Julian Klincewicz – Collection (1.16.21)

Jan 13 21 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Words via Hypebeast:

“Artist Julian Klincewicz, Slam Jam and Vault by Vans have teamed up for an imaginative footwear and apparel collection. Inspired by Klincewicz’s memories of playing with toy cars as a child and the “constant motion, speed, imagination, endless creativity … exuberance even” the activity brought, the products aim to encapsulate childhood wonder through the lens of adulthood.

Footwear offerings include three classic Vans styles: the Era, the Slip-On and the Bold Ni. The Era is the most straightforward, a black style with white contrast stitching and orange laces plus a special tire badge on the heel. Slip-Ons are more vibrant, putting forth a yellow upper with a raised rubber toe cap and an image of a racecar transposed onto the collar. Finally, the Bold Ni provides the most boisterous style of the three by mixing red, purple, black and white on its top half for a look that’s rich in youthful exuberance.

Apparel consists of a washed black jacket and pant set, plus three tees. Each tee is centered around an image from Klincewicz’s archive — the tire and race car from the above-mentioned Era and Bold Ni, plus one shot of a child — and places it in blown-up fashion directly on the chest. “I was hoping to make things that felt simultaneously childlike and adult, something that transcends age,” says Klincewicz while discussing the collection.”

Look for the Julian Klincewicz, Slam Jam and Vault By Vans offerings to release exclusively via the Slam Jam webstore and retail outposts January 16. Prices have yet to be announced.

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Vans x Foo Fighters – Sk8-Hi (Coming Soon!)

Jan 12 21 under Bands, Collaborations | Comments Off

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We first got a glimpse of these on the Vans UK site a few weeks back, and now Vans dropped this gem on their official Instagram page. No information to provide just yet, but stay tuned! This one’s gonna be dope.

Vans Custom Culture High School Competition Launches with a Grand Prize of $50,000 to the Winners High School Art Program

Jan 12 21 under Art, Contests, Customs | Comments Off

To kick off the new year, Vans invites all public and private high school students to take part in Vans Custom Culture 2021. Vans Custom Culture returns for its twelfth installment with a couple of new themes to match the current times. To reflect the state of the world, this year’s new topics are “Hometown Pride” and “Head in the Clouds.” Students will have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and artistic abilities by submitting a unique digital shoe design that illustrates this year’s themes for a chance to win a grand prize of $50,000 for their high school’s art program. Runner ups will receive $15,000 and the top five schools will receive an artist mentorship lesson from one of Vans’ art ambassadors: Kelly Breez, Robin Eisenberg, Jay Howell, Todd Francis, Olivia Krause, Camilo Medina, Noah Humes, O.J. Hays, Tony Whlgn, and Sydney James.

Online registration at the Vans Custom Culture website opened on January 4th and will close on January 29^th, 2021. This year’s themes of “Hometown Pride” and “Head in the Clouds” look to highlight the special qualities of where each school is located as well as student’s visions for the future and their communities. These new themes look to challenge and encourage students to come up with unique and meaningful digital shoe designs that represent their school’s culture. Vans has partnered with Yoobi, Americans for the Arts, and Journeys to supply students and schools with resources and scholarship opportunities.

After the digital submission window ends on February 19^th, 250 schools will be asked to submit a physical shoe design that best embodies “Hometown Pride” and “Head in the Clouds.” As an added bonus to challenge and encourage students to think critically about the environment, Vans will be offering a $500 gift card for art supplies to the best designs that can be made out of sustainable materials. Vans will also be donating $500 per school to an environmental organization to help promote and encourage investment in sustainability.

Once the top 50 designs are selected, the online voting window will determine the top five finalists. Online voting begins on April 26^th and each school has the opportunity to make it to the finals by encouraging their communities to support them through online voting. The grand-prize winning school will be announced in May via an online livestream event and they will be receiving a $50,000 check for their school’s art program.

“The variety of submissions we received in the past continues to reveal the pool of talented artists we have and the need for well-funded art education programs across the country,” said Carly Gomez, VP Marketing of Vans the Americas.

To learn more about Vans Custom Culture 2021 and register your school, head to customculture.vans.com and to watch some how-to lessons from Vans art ambassadors head to Vans’ YouTube Channel.

Vault By Vans x Johannes Wieser – OG Authentic “Zodiac” LX (Jan. 2021)

Jan 6 21 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Vault by Vans commences the New Year with a spin on the OG Authentic LX, featuring a mishmash of zodiac signs that nods to cosmic influences and extends to a collection of apparel and accessories.

Leading the pack, the OG Authentic LX in zodiac and black offers an allover embroidered pattern on a full canvas upper, showcasing artwork by Johannes Wieser, a designer and vintage collector based in Stockholm, Sweden.

Johannes worked with Vans to apply an interpretation of his artwork to the collection, which grew organically from a single T-shirt to what the designer describes as an entire universe. He likened the process to Japanese Raku pottery, a hand-molded technique in which a kiln is filled with different herbs and glazes producing dramatically unique variations. The resulting Zodiac Pack represents the mutual respect and ethos created through the partnership.

Johannes’ design carries over to the Vault OG Zodiac chore coat, a 100-percent cotton heavyweight canvas jacket with reversible print, Vault snap closures, dual-entry pockets, cuff adjusters, and a custom woven label.

The collection also includes a Vault OG Zodiac heavyweight hooded pullover fleece, as well as a short sleeve T-shirt in black, each featuring glow-in-the-dark and puff ink. A Vault OG Zodiac bucket hat with 100% cotton printed canvas and reversible zodiac and solid black colorways, and a Vault OG Zodiac tote with an internal drop pocket and Vault woven label round out the offering.

The Vault by Vans: The OG Authentic LX Zodiac Pack is available now at select accounts. Please contact stores for actual availability.

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Vans x Suwukou – “THEY ARE” Year of the Ox Pack (Jan 2021)

Dec 23 20 under Asia, Collaborations | Comments Off

Words via Hypebeast:

“After experimenting with classic color combinations and pony hair for its previous release, Vans has now linked with Chinese designer Suwokou to drop a collaborative Lunar New Year collection, dedicated to the Year of the Ox.

Dubbed the VANS X THEY ARE collection, the pair invited local creatives from skateboarding, art, music and street culture to showcase their own spirit of the Ox through classic brand footwear, sweaters and jackets.

The Vans Era has been given premium suede uppers and arrives in two colorways, while the Old Skool and Sk8-Hi have been dressed in two monochromatic offerings of green and pink. Apparel dons graphics designed by artists Gaga (Peng Lei) and Chen Tian Zhuo, as well as C2H4 founder Chen Yi Xi and Vans China skate team rider Xiang Xiao Jun.”

VANS X THEY ARE Year of the Ox will be available from January 1 via the Vans webstore.

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Vans Anaheim Factory – Lux Color Block Pack (Dec 2020)

Dec 17 20 under Anaheim Factory | Comments Off

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Vans’ Anaheim Factory Collection honors the brands 54-year history and heritage in producing quality, vulcanized footwear. This spring, the Anaheim Factory collection returns with a delivery that pays homage to the Old Skool 36 DX. The Classic footwear range draws inspiration from the original footwear models produced in the original Anaheim, California factory and features original design specifications used in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. This season, the Anaheim Factory assortment includes an arrangement of lux color block models using color combinations that were offered in Vans’ past that have been modernized with elevated materials for today.

Vans Old Skool 36 DX is the hero of the lux color block pack and features a multi-panel construction with premium, pony hair uppers in two-tone color assortments. Available in two retro inspired colorways from the brand past, include pink pony/true white and grey pony/true white, the Old Skool 36 DX includes a higher-glossed foxing stripe, cotton laces and includes an OrthoLite™ footbed for added comfort and support. The pony hair uppers offer an elevated materialization to the brand’s iconic Old Skool model.

Shop the latest Lux Color Block assortment from the Anaheim Factory Collection beginning now by clicking on the pic above or HERE.

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VANS DONATES $1M+ TO GLOBAL CHARITIES IN SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH

Dec 15 20 under NEWS | Comments Off

Today, Vans, the original action sports brand and advocate for creative expression, commemorates the second-annual #VansCheckerboardDay held on November 19, with a more than $1 million donation to 10 global charities to champion the power of creative expression.

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