Vans

Last week, we kicked off an NYC takeover spanning from Brooklyn to Soho, celebrating the skateboarding community and our free-spirited “Off The Wall” mindset of progression and youthful energy. Following a curated experience that paid tribute to NYC landmark and cultural institution Max Fish, the skateboarding community converged for a massive Vans Block Party at Brooklyn’s Skate Space 198 on Saturday that gathered NYC’s finest for a Skate Jam, learn to skate sessions and “Skate Rave.” Our team riders, including Curren Caples, Lizzie Armanto, Beatrice Domond, Efron Danzig, Zion Wright, and Dick Rizzo, among many others, brought the energy with a pro demo and supported the learn to skate sessions. Throughout the week, our Old Skool silhouette took center stage, from an exclusive colorway with Satoshi Nakamoto and customized Old Skools in the SC103 runway show, to a tease of the upcoming Punk & Yo Old Skool 36 and gifting the NY skate community with the Skate Old Skool. See more from the week's events below.

We kicked off a week-long New York takeover with the opening of a limited revival of Max Fish, the beloved downtown skate haven of the early 2000s, featuring a roaring performance by legendary rock group TV on the Radio. The night also featured DJ sets by NY trio Las Flaquitas and The Black Outs. Designed in partnership with PLAYLAB, INC., the re-envisioned space is a faithful reproduction of the original bar’s facade and signature decor. The event builds on our recent OTW experiences, most recently, an epic-scale takeover of Sacré-Coeur at Paris Fashion Week Men’s. Later this week, the NYC takeover continues with an open-to-the-public Vans Block Party at Brooklyn’s Skate Space 198, featuring a Skate Jam, skateboarding lessons, “Off The Wall” community market, and skate rave. For those in the area, you can register to attend here: https://lnkd.in/gKBRMibG

On the heels of becoming STAB’s 2023 Surfer of the Year, Nathan Florence just received another major accolade when he was named Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA) Waterman of the Year during the 35th annual Waterman’s Gala.    His consistent pursuit of dangerous waves around the world has earned him the much-deserved recognition of his peers and the surf community. As a brand dedicated to pushing culture forward, we’re beyond proud of Nathan for all he does to progress surfing to the next level. Congratulations Nathan!

As a brand dedicated to inspiring and empowering the next generation to live “Off The Wall”, we are beyond proud of our athletes who are elevating their sports to the world and pushing culture forward. 

Congratulations to our Global Skate team rider Elijah Berle for landing the October 2024 cover of Thrasher Mag. Photo: Michael Burnett https://lnkd.in/gGfYd6HV

We’re honored to see three of our Classics — the Authentic, Old Skool, and Slip-On— named to Footwear News’ “Greatest Shoes of All Time” list released earlier this week.   The curated line-up features the most iconic styles that have stood the test of time and reflect historical significance as well as current trends. As a brand committed to inspiring the next generation and pushing culture forward, we’re humbled to see these timeless styles continue to influence today’s youth culture.

In a new documentary from The New York Times, Vans Global Surf team rider and one of South Africa’s most stylish surfers Michael February shares his journey of perseverance and self-discovery, including becoming the first Black South African on the World Surf League Championship Tour.   Bringing together Michael’s love for the ocean, his family’s history in Cape Town and his desire and optimism to elevate what’s possible for the next generation, the new film - aptly titled “New Wave” - is a powerful example of pushing progression and positive change by living “Off The Wall.”   Watch it now: https://lnkd.in/gMB6J_kj

On the heels of our “Always Pushing” Brand Anthem launch, our team celebrated a new global approach to storytelling at The Bunt Jam 2024 in Toronto, gathering more than 5,000 fans over this past weekend.   An example of our free-spirited mindset and commitment to pushing progress and bringing the global skate community together, the invitational event featured incredible skating from a talented roster of skateboarders and a party-like atmosphere with live music performances from Paris Texas and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Check out The Bunt Jam 2024 coverage over at Thrasher https://lnkd.in/ejtDBehf and a video recap from the event below.

Today, we’re unveiling our “Always Pushing” Brand Anthem, a new approach to our brand’s global storytelling.   An ode to the free-spirited mindset of progression and youthful optimism that drives skateboarding culture, Always Pushing is a tapestry of content that spans cities worldwide from Paris to LA to Tokyo. Developed in partnership with creative director ALEX/@TONE and featuring music by Paris Texas, the anthem embraces the ethos of the next generation of creatives and their fearless commitment to pushing culture forward.   Check out the hero story below and read more about the making of Always Pushing in this Hypebeast interview with ALEX/2TONE: https://lnkd.in/gWmBRCjA

We’re celebrating the launch of Vans World 2.0 on Roblox, the latest iteration of our immersive experience bridging the real and virtual worlds of skateboarding which was recently nominated for Roblox’s Innovation Awards 2024. In partnership with developer studio The Gang, the game blends skateboarding across global iconic landmarks, unlocking virtual access on the platform to cities from Paris to LA to Tokyo.    Highlighting our dedication to always pushing the sport and culture forward, Vans World 2.0 marks a major milestone with the first-ever virtual launch of our all-new silhouette, the Mixxa. The shoe will launch globally at physical locations and online later this month. Additionally, the game introduces Vans Global Skateboarder Lizzie Armanto, showcasing her unique style to inspire the next generation.    To learn more, visit Vans World 2.0 on Roblox here: https://lnkd.in/dQ9gK8hj