Vans x Kenzo – Floral Print Collection (6.17.20)

Jun 12 20 under Collaborations | Comments Off

“For Spring 2020, KENZO extends its partnership with Vans by releasing a new footwear collaboration. The Vans Sk8-Hi and Old Skool styles are reworked and repainted with vivid, all-over florals, with each print taken from KENZO’s archives.

The two sneaker models are dropping in three prints each, ranging in men’s and women’s sizing. Accompanying the sneaker range is a capsule of ready-to-wear pieces and accessories designed by Felipe Oliveira Baptista, a collection that also makes use of KENZO’s archival floral prints.

To complement the capsule, KENZO is releasing an exclusive lifestyle item created in collaboration with The Skateroom: a limited edition KENZO skateboard. Only 150 pieces will be made available and 100% of profits from the KENZO skateboard art edition will be donated to a social skate project to empower at-risk youth in Jamaica.

Check out the campaign imagery for the collaborative collection in the gallery above, shot by Ari Marcopoulos of seven skaters in Los Angeles. The capsule will be available in KENZO stores globally and KENZO.com from June 17. See the range at the KENZO Paris flagship store in Le Marais and at Selfridges London, with a special takeover of The Bowl at Selfridges.

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Jeff Grosso’s Loveletters To Skateboarding: LGBTQ+ (Video)

Jun 11 20 under Videos | Comments Off

Vans’ Loveletters To LGBTQ+ was filmed earlier this year, before the passing of legendary skater and host Jeff Grosso, who was a champion for inclusive skateboarding. We believe this message of unity and equality must be told, and that all voices of the LGBTQ+ community deserve to be heard. Grounded in the brand values of inclusivity and being open to everyone, Vans believes this unifying message must be told, and stands in support of the LGBTQ+ Skate Community as we continue to drive positive change.

Love Letters to Skateboarding is about the love we all have for skateboarding, a commonality we all share regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation. We are all one people with a love for skating. This LGBTQ+ episode is testament to that. On March 31st, 2020 our beloved legendary Vans family member and larger than life defender of skateboarding, Jeff Grosso, passed away. Jeff said this LGBTQ series of Love Letters and Love Notes were the episodes he was most proud of in the 11 years of the show. These were the last episodes he filmed. In the episodes Jeff admits, “I was taught at a young age to speak this way… I have been part of the problem…but I am trying to change…the last thing I want to do is make someone feel uncomfortable or make them not feel safe ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SKATEBOARDING.” It is a fitting send off to our dear friend who believed that skateboarding is for everyone and all are welcome. Jeff was so stoked on this one— he cried a record 3 times while shooting it!

Vans is thankful to everyone who shared their story, strengthening the community of skateboarding. If you are a person in crisis or in need of a safe and judgement free place to talk, call the TrevorLifeline now at 1-866-488-7386.

Strawberry Mansion & George Washington Win $50,000 Each In Vans Custom Culture High School Competition

May 29 20 under Art, Contests | Comments Off

Strawberry Mansion High School

Vans is delighted to announce Strawberry Mansion High School of Philadelphia, PA and George Washington High School of San Francisco, CA as winners of the eleventh annual Vans Custom Culture competition. Vans Custom Culture was launched to provide high school artists and students a platform to embrace and showcase their creative talents. This year, Vans’ continued its dedication to give back to the arts through its competition where students had a chance to win $50,000 to benefit their school’s art program. Students were asked to use Vans as their canvas and apply their creativity to Vans footwear. New this year, Vans offered an additional $50,000 and made digital submissions available for students who did not have access to a physical pair of shoes. In addition, the top four runner-up schools in each category highlighted below will now receive an artist mentorship program equaling one digital lesson from one of the following Vans’ art ambassadors Kelly Breez, Robin Eisenberg, Todd Francis, Penelope Gazin, Tony Whlgn or Jay Howell in fall 2020.

“Congratulations to both Strawberry Mansion & George Washington High School. The growth of Custom Culture within the past eleven years has far exceeded our expectations and allowed us to make a difference for more students than we could have imagined when we started this program,” said Carly Gomez, VP Marketing of Vans the Americas. “Enabling creativity remains our focus and we quickly pivoted the program so all participating schools could submit their designs even if they were stuck at home. Again, the submissions we received far exceeded our expectations and the participation from students showcased the creative spirit when it’s needed the most.”

Through both the physical and digital submissions it’s evident that the breadth of talent and creativity nationwide has been at an all-time high. This year’s contest has certainly presented some unique obstacles along the way but each high school could not be deterred in showcasing their own individuality and creativity.

Thank you to our partners Yoobi, Americans for the Arts and Journeys who joined us in drawing attention to the importance of art education across the country and provided art materials to all the participating schools.

Vans Custom Culture has grown tenfold since its inception in 2010 reaching hundreds of thousands of students and putting more than $1,000,000 USD back into high school art programs nationwide.

PHYSICAL SHOE – Grand Prize Winners:

Strawberry Mansion High School, Philadelphia PA

PHYSICAL SHOE – 2nd Place Prize Winners:

South Lafourche High School, Cut Off LA

Vallivue East High School, Caldwell ID

DIGITAL SHOE – Grand Prize Winners:

George Washington High School, San Francisco CA

DIGITAL SHOE – 2nd Place Prize Winners:

High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology, Brooklyn NY

Clay High School, Oregon OH

For more information, please visit Vans Custom Culture.

George Washington High School

Rose Anvil Deconstructs And Compares the OG Sk8-Hi Reissue LX (Video)

May 28 20 under Art, Reviews, Vault, Videos | Comments Off

Here’s a cool video, created by Rose Anvil, giving a literal breakdown of how the Vault By Vans OG Sk8-Hi Reissue LX is made, and comparing it to a GR (General Release) pair of Sk8-Hi’s. The approach of the video, is to compare the quality, and to see if it’s worth the extra $20 retail to buy them. To us Vans snobs, it’s never as much about the quality, as it is about the exclusivity of the Vault line. It’s an “if you know, you know” mentality that we all share. Although I will say, we admit that the latest iteration of Vault OGs are definitely our favorite, and most accurate to the Made In USA vintage pairs. The construction is and materials chosen are the best we’ve seen yet. Anyways, check out the video, and watch them cut this beautiful OG Sk8-Hi in half, lol!

Vans x National Geographic (June 2020)

May 28 20 under Collaborations, General Release | Comments Off

Words via Hypebeast:

“Vans has enlisted National Geographic for a five-piece footwear collection comprising its Slip-On, Era, Authentic, Old Skool and Sk8-Hi silhouettes.

National Geographic, which is known for its exploration and documentation of fields including adventure, science, photography, environment, history and space, has covered each Vans sneaker with its own unique work. For example, the Slip-On depicts Greenland’s Pine Island Glacier, while the Era is covered in an artistic representation of the ocean and sports a sole unit graced with coordinates.

Elsewhere we see an Authentic covered in National Geographic magazine covers complete with the publication’s signature yellow border, as well as a pair of Old Skools that showcase the Mexican grey wolf alongside the red-eyed tree frog. Rounding out the collection is the Sk8-Hi which wears a large embroidered National Geographic logo. This logo adorns all pairs but the Era, while Vans’ signature license plate on the heel now comes in an apt black and yellow colorway.

Other National Geographic-specific elements include a yellow running stripe on all pairs except the Old Skool, which instead comes equipped with a fully yellow vulcanized sole unit. Take a look at all five pairs from the National Geographic x Vans collaboration after the jump, and pick them up from select retailers on June 1.”

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Vans Customs – Class of 2020 Print (Now Available!)

May 27 20 under Customs, 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.

Just in time for graduation, Vans has created a special print on the Vans Customs website, allowing you to create a totally customizable pair of Vans for yourself, or as a gift to your graduate. Head on over to the Vans website to start building your own pair, by clicking on the pic above!

Vault By Vans – OG Chukka LX “Checkerboard” (Available Now!)

May 20 20 under Vault | Comments Off

Vans Vault brings to us, these Chukkas by way of the ORIGINALS collection, in two dope checkerboard canvas versions. The OG Chukka LX can be seen here in a Classic White / Black, as well as Heliotrope / Marshmallow colorway, both printed on the same standard canvas material seen on all OGs. Each pair features the standard OrthoLite footbeds, and ORIGINALS heel scab branding. Look for these to pop up at your local Vault dealer soon, like St. Alfred, in Chicago.

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Vans Gives Back – Frontline Appreciation Discount (30% OFF!)

May 19 20 under Friends, Heritage, NEWS | Comments Off

This week, Vans will be offering a 30% discount off to all first responders and healthcare workers in the United States to thank them for their dedication and bravery in the fight against COVID-19 (May 18 – 25). Throughout the week, both frontline workers and healthcare providers are eligible, including those in emergency medicine, general practice, internal medicine, physical therapists, EMTS, firefighters, police and more.

As Vans continues to reach out to those tirelessly keeping our communities safe during an unprecedented time, Vans has also kicked off an exciting contest offering a LIFETIME supply of Vans to a winner and a frontline hero of their choosing. Contestants are asked to share a photo of their latest creative pursuit whether it’s a new hobby, personal artwork, jam session with a pet or skate trick. Vans wants to see how folks are staying inspired within action sports, art music and street culture.

Vault by Vans x “Fergadelic” Fergus Purcell (Part 2) – Acid Wash Collection (5.23.20)

May 18 20 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

The second set of classic Vans styles to get the Fergadelic overhaul include an OG Authentic and OG Chukka, each in a retro, acid wash colorway. “The acid wash design is based on a memory from my youth, of coveting a pair of acid wash Vans when they came out around the late ‘80s,” Fergus said. “I’ve collided this memory with— for no reason at all, let’s call it surreal—contemporary scratch card imagery, perhaps creating shoes that are lucky and will bring a big win.”

The Acid Wash Collection releases on 5/23/20 at select Vault retailers.

Additionally, Fergus designed two prints that can be used to create your own Vans Customs Classics, available exclusively on the Customizer beginning May 29, 2020.

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Vault By Vans x Taka Hayashi – Collection (Summer 2020)

May 14 20 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Info via Hypebeast:

“Continuing a longstanding partnership, artist Taka Hayashi and Vault By Vans have returned with a new Summer 2020 collection of modernized takes on archival skate styles. Consisting of six total shoes — two makeups each of the Sk8-Lo, Style 47 and Style 98 — the collection draws from vintage military apparel and uses a modernized, QR code-inspired iteration of Vans‘ timeless checkerboard print.

A silhouette that looks like an Old Skool with a Sk8-Hi toebox, the Sk8-Lo is the centerpiece of the collection. Appearing in “Black” and “Total Eclipse,” each makeup uses two-tone QR checkerboard print on quarter panels and heels, alternate-colored Jazz Stripes on lateral and medial sides, high-gloss midsoles with a faint print and special circular badges on the tongue tag.

Meanwhile, the Style 47 offers a look similar to the Slip-On with its laceless build. It’s done up in “Dusty Olive” and “White Sand,” each of which uses a full canvas upper. Both add colorful stripes to the heel — yellow for “Dusty Olive,” orange for “White Sand — and patch three eyelets onto the medial midfoot. The toebox’s lined, slightly puffy detailing draws from vintage military jackets, and printed midsoles complete the look.

Last but not least, the Style 98 keeps things simple in “Black” and “Marshmallow.” Each presents a 5/8 cut collar, and uses a rich leather upper with suede overlays on the toebox and heel. Black and blue tags and tabs add a little colorful flair. All six styles are completed with abstract outsole patterns inspired by a lunar eclipse.

The Taka Hayashi x Vault By Vans Summer 2020 collection is coming to your local Vault dealer soon.”

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