House of Vans: If These Walls Could Talk (Vans Family Exclusive!)

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THE HOUSE OF VANS IS WHERE “OFF THE WALL” LIVES. This book celebrates the first ten years of the global phenomenon. Packed with hundreds of images and stories capturing the unforgettable moments fans experienced skating the skate parks, seeing legendary shows on stage and so much more. These pages will make you feel like you’ve walked into a House of Vans and get you stoked to make new memories of your own at House of Vans.

Only available to Vans Family members, get your copy now and see some of the best moments (so far) of the home to the creativity that moves us.

Vans Champions Community & Creativity on 3rd Annual Vans Checkerboard Day (11.18.21)

 

Vans, the original action sports brand and advocate for creative expression, is bringing the Vans Family together to rebuild and revitalize communities across the world in honor of Vans Checkerboard Day on November 18, 2021. This year, Vans will partner with DoSomething.org, global non-profit whose core competency is driving young people to take action at scale, to invite fans to participate in local and digital activations that help build vibrant, inclusive and rejuvenated public spaces through arts and culture.

“Research shows that art and creative expression are not only proven to benefit an individual’s academic, physical and mental well-being, but uplift and improve entire communities, especially when shared in public spaces,” says Doug Palladini, Vans Global Brand President. “Many of our local community and public spaces have been somewhat neglected since March 2020. As a champion for the power of creativity, we’re encouraging Vans fans to join us this Vans Checkerboard Day in being a part of activities and initiatives that showcase how creativity truly revitalizes our communities.”

As the brand’s single largest philanthropic initiative, Vans will support 16 charities from around the world who share a mission of revitalizing public spaces through arts, sports, culture and social impact programming by donating a collective $1 million USD. Each regional organization will receive $50,000 USD from The Vans Checkerboard Fund at Tides Foundation or via a direct donation from Vans to use towards their organization’s mission to continue their work around the world to build vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming spaces to support their local communities. Additionally, as the 2021 global partner, DoSomething.org will receive $250,000 USD as they continue to encourage young people to act in their communities, with $25,000 USD of this directly benefiting youth scholarships. This year’s recipients are: GoodPush, Groundswell, Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, Colectivo Tomate, Nations Skate Youth, Dignity for Children, Another Way of Seeing, ArtDream, Skateboard Academy, Hackney Bumps, Juju Surf Club, Indigo Youth Movement, Girls in Film, Jukebox Collective and The Hub.

 

Vans Checkerboard Day 2021 will reinforce that Together Makes It Better by inviting fans to participate in local and digital activations that help build vibrant, inclusive and rejuvenated public spaces through arts and culture.

“Uplifting communities through the power of creativity is a value shared by Vans and DoSomething’s 5 million members,” said DeNora Getachew, Chief Executive Officer of DoSomething.org. “We’re excited to partner with Vans to activate DoSomething members to join with communities across the world for Vans Checkerboard Day. Their generous donation will provide young people with scholarships towards their college, university, or vocational program’s costs. It’ll also fuel DoSomething’s civic volunteerism hub through which young people take action on social issues important to themselves and their community.”

Leading up to November 18, Vans will rally global fans to participate in a variety of initiatives focused on getting involved in community action. Activations include:

  • Vans.com/checkerboardday will serve as a directory of action in partnership with DoSomething.org so fans can join community events in their local city or participate in a variety of digital activations.
  • The #VansCheckerboardDay TikTok Challenge will share inspiring community projects, ways to sport your checkerboard pattern and tips for joining in on the celebration featuring Vans ambassadors on what community revitalization and creativity means to them.
  • On top of the $1 million of support by Vans, fans across the world will also have the ability to support the 15 regional charities by helping to raise additional donations. They can do so through the Vans Family app by donating loyalty points in support for a monetary donation. 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to The Vans Checkerboard Fund at Tides Foundation.

Since the inception in 2019, Vans Checkerboard Day has helped raise more than $2 million for nonprofits across the world, supporting creativity, mental wellness, and community engagement. Vans Checkerboard Day is celebrated annually to bring the Vans ethos of celebrating creative expression to life globally, rallying internal stakeholders, the extended Vans family and global consumers to come together around the world to experience why creativity matters and fund charities focused on uplifting creativity.

Visit Vans.com/checkerboardday to discover local meetups in your area, ways to participate in virtual events and activations or learn more about the participating charities and donate. Fans can also follow Vans on social media to participate and follow #VansCheckerboardDay on TikTok to join in. 

Vans Launches “Vans World” Skatepark Experience in the Roblox Metaverse

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Roblox, a global platform bringing millions of people together through shared experiences, and Vans®, the original action sports brand and global icon for creative expression, today announced the launch of “Vans World,” an interactive experience created by Vans on Roblox. With the launch of this exclusive new experience, Vans is the first brand to bring skateboarding, fashion, and community together in one experience, providing fans with the Vans shoe customizer to create their own unique style, and full skate shop to build their perfect board. Four Vans silhouettes will be available for fans to customize, purchase, and wear in the experience.

Vans World will serve as a persistent 3D space where fans can practice their ollies and kickflips with friends, and try-on and acquire exclusive Vans gear directly in the experience. This is the brand’s first venture into the metaverse.

Inspired by the brand’s signature locations such as House of Vans, the Vans Off The Wall Skatepark in CA, owned retail shop environments and revered skate destinations from all over the globe, Vans Vice President of Global Integrated Marketing Nick Street said: “Individual expression is deeply embedded in skate culture, and Vans has been supporting and enabling this exact type of creativity for more than 50 years. With the Vans World experience on Roblox, we are empowering creative expression in the digital world, bridging the gap between virtual and real-world fashion and sports in an accessible, inclusive way. Vans is a global icon and advocate for youth culture, and we’re thrilled to bring this authentic brand experience to the millions of Vans enthusiasts where they are — on Roblox.”

The Vans World experience, including the brand’s featured skate shoes, was created by Vans in partnership with Roblox community developers The Gang Stockholm. Roblox’s recently augmented physics layer, which is now available to all developers, helps achieve the true sensation of skating for Vans. The skating physics require vector operations and raycasting that would not have been possible without the incremental engine improvements that are a constant at Roblox. A preview of the experience can be found here.

“Vans is showcasing its commitment to empowering self-expression with Vans World,” said Christina Wootton, Vice President of Brand Partnerships for Roblox, “By leveraging cutting edge technology and partnering with the Roblox developer community to build this 3D experience, Vans is bringing brand enthusiasts together in an authentic and interactive way.”

With access to millions of people in the Roblox metaverse, brands can reach fans and attract new ones in completely immersive ways while simultaneously monetizing their brands in the metaverse. Whether pushing creative boundaries, exploring sustainable fashion, or melding the physical and virtual in an immersive, 3D runway, Roblox provides brands an unparalleled space where everyone can express themselves in a unique way.

Discover more at Roblox.com/vans

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31 Days of Vans Is Back for 2021! #31daysofvans

Well, today’s July 1st, and you know what that means.  It’s time to kick off the annual #31daysofvans celebration. This year is a little bit different though, and that’s because we’re excited to announce that Vans, and in particular, the Vans Family team, are officially joining in, (and recognizing) our community-created celebration.  This has been something that’s been brewing for just over 2 years now.  Covid put a hold on all the plans we had started talking about, the first go around, but last year, I got to get together again with the Vans Family, to brainstorm and come up with some ideas on ways for Vans to get involved.  I was honored to represent the community, and I have the utmost respect for the way they approached it, understanding that this was something we had all created, and they weren’t trying to take anything away from that.  So with that being said, we threw a bunch of stuff at the wall, to see what stuck, and I’m not going to give away anything, but there’s some cool stuff they’re doing for it, so stay tuned for sure.  We’re beyond stoked.

I also wanted to give a huge huge huge shout-out to our Vans brother, Kyle Sliney, aka @iamrocketkyle for the sick artwork he always does for 31 Days of Vans, and if you haven’t noticed by now, Vans requested his artistic stylings, for an official banner graphic for the Vans Family app, and boy did he come through!  His artwork features a neon sign, complete with animation, including a Caballero model being chopped down to a Half Cab, nodding to the upcoming anniversary of the Half Cab, which we’ll be seeing more of through the year.  You can read about the full inspiration over on his IG post.  So awesome.  So proud of him.  Glad he got some official Vans shine!

For those of you who are new to our Vans community and not quite sure what this is.  Well, we invite you to share your favorite pair(s) of Vans with the rest of us.  Get creative.  We’ve seen folks post up the same shoe all 31 days, just to find out at the end, each pair was a different one, but all the same shoe, lol.  That was wild.  We also get to see a lot of stuff that most have forgotten about.  There’s no wrong way to do this.  Just share a pic, each day, preferably on-foot, and check out the campaign hashtag each night before you go to bed, to see all the cool pairs across the globe!

Vans Partners with Global Non-Profit, Tony Hawk and Olympic Skaters for Epic Celebration of Skate Community

Vans – the undeniable leader in skateboarding for over 50 years – will be launching a global campaign ahead of skateboarding’s Olympic debut, highlighting the things that make skateboarding great.

Since the beginning, Vans has celebrated the creative culture of skateboarding and the individual self-expression it embodies through listening, empowering and showcasing local communities driving skate culture around the world. This summer’s campaign, “No Matter How Big Skateboarding Gets, Never Forget Where it Starts,” highlights what makes skateboarding so special…the streets, skateparks, backyard pools and communities that built skate from the very beginning.

For this campaign, Vans is partnering with award-winning international non-profit Skateistan, who empowers children through skateboarding and education in Afghanistan, Cambodia and South Africa and skateboarding’s biggest legend and Skateistan ambassador, Tony Hawk. The campaign will also feature Olympic skaters Lizzie Armanto (FIN) and Pedro Barros (BRA) who will have featured videos during the campaign.

In the spirit of celebrating the creativity in skateboarding, Vans ambassadors will also be building their own Vans Skate Classic Customs and Vans is encouraging fans to do the same. This summer $10 from every pair of Vans Skate Customs up to $200k, will go to Skateistan to benefit skate communities globally. Vans Fans can also donate at Vans.com/skateistan and Vans.com/customs.

VANS PARTNERS WITH LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL TO DONATE COMPUTERS TO ALL STUDENTS

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Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel brand and advocate for creative expression, partnered with the Los Angeles School of Global Studies and nonprofit EduCare Foundation to donate Chromebooks to all of its students. On April 10th, every student from 9th to 12th grade at LASGS received a free computer as part of a large distribution resulting in 320 being handed out. With nearly all of the students at or below the poverty level, the donation makes it possible for students to remain in school further closing the digital divide.

This distribution marked the first time Vans has ever donated computers, let alone to an entire school. Steve Van Doren, son of the Vans founder Paul Van Doren, was also in attendance at the event and personally handed out the Chromebooks with handwritten messages of support. Vans also had a large motorhome that distributed shoes and other goods for students and their family members. This initiative further reinforces Vans’ core ethos: empowering, motivating and giving back to youth culture.

Alongside the support of non-profit EduCare that serves several LAUSD schools, the Los Angeles School of Global Studies (LASGS) is a high school located in Downtown Los Angeles with an unconventional take on teaching and education. Their unique approach to learning is based on an “environment that engages, a culture that empowers, outcomes that matter and technology that enables”. LASGS’s mission is to not only empower its students with its progressive pedagogy, but also through “social emotional learning” which promotes and teaches self-awareness, personal responsibility, empathy, and compassion – creating a learning environment in which youth can flourish and realize.

“Donations that go directly to the community are so important for our student population. I am thankful that Vans, in collaboration with Educare, could get technology out to our students so that our school community can access the school curriculum.” – Christian Quintero, Principal of the Los Angeles School of Global Studies.

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Vans x Record Store Day – “Songs For You”, (Volumes 1 & 2) Honoring the Community Impact of Black-Owned Record Stores

Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel brand, is teaming up with Record Store Day to release two albums, Songs for You, Vols. 1 & 2, to spotlight and support Black-owned record stores. The limited-edition vinyl releases will be available to purchase at independent record stores on Record Store Day 2021 (June 12th).

As a salute to the community power of Black-owned businesses, Vans and Record Store Day will reinvest proceeds from the albums into Black-owned record stores across the United States.         

Nineteen tracks from prolific Black artists are featured across the two compilations, including previously unreleased music by Roberta Flack, whose uplifting rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of Gaye’s groundbreaking album and song.

According to Flack, a six-time Grammy Award-winning trailblazer and one of the music industry’s most iconic R&B artists, the Black-owned record store experience is as important and influential as ever: “Black-owned record stores have historically served as places where our community has gathered to learn, listen and celebrate. They have been places of political activism, where we find our voices through the music we hear. Marvin’s song that I include in this project is sadly as relevant today as it was when it was released 50 years ago.”

Grammy Award-winning artist Common also contributes a track to honor the influence of Black-owned record stores on his life. “I owe so much to record stores and specifically Black-owned record stores,” Common recently told Variety. “It’s so beautiful to know that there’s record stores that existed in the ‘60s that are still alive and people are taking that business to those record stores and supporting vinyl,” he said. “And it’s so incredible to think about a record store opening because that means younger generations are participating.”

“Black-owned record stores have always represented something more than just a place to buy music in their communities. These businesses have been hubs for social and political activism, self-expression, culture and belonging,” said Michael Kurtz, co-founder of Record Store Day. “They are at the heart and soul of the music industry and the impact they have had on their communities to push for important social and political progress is immeasurable.”

Both volumes of Songs for You feature artwork from award-winning artist Aamba Chavis, an emerging young voice in Black visual arts. Other young changemakers lending their voices to the album include Grammy-nominated Tank and the Bangas from New Orleans. “As an artist, it’s empowering to be a part of such an amazing moment in history with people stepping up and speaking up,” said the band’s Tarriona “Tank” Ball. “This particular Record Store Day release will shine a much-needed light on the Black-owned businesses that inspire artists like us. We salute Black-owned record stores for their role in pushing music and culture forward.”

For more information about Record Store Day, please visit www.recordstoreday.com.

 

Vans Opens Very First Asia Boutique in TX Huaihai, Shanghai

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Special shout-out to our boy Eason He, and his awesome Vans x WTAPS collection he let them use for the huge WTAPS display!  It came out awesome.  Now, how do we get that neon crossbones sign?!

Words via Hypebeast:

“Vans has just opened the doors to its first boutique in Asia. The space is in Shanghai’s TX Huaihai, a new retail complex that aims to bridge the worlds of art and fashion.

Located on the ground floor, the shop will include a run of Vans’ mainline, in addition to the footwear label’s pro skateboard series, Anaheim line and Vault by Vans collections. Apart from the wide selection of footwear offerings, the store was also made as a communal event space for art, live music and skateboarding. The space is walled by wood and concrete for a warm ambiance. Vans commissioned artist Sinic Choy to decorate the wall behind the cashier with an expressive sequence of Chinese calligraphy that integrates elements of Western-style graffiti — a custom LED chandelier above the counter mirrors this style. Other parts of the store like the changing room, a display of pro skater Hyunjun Koo’s deck collection and a music station complete the new space”.

Vans Shanghai
TX Huaihai, G/F
523 Huaihai Zhong Lu
Shanghai, China

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Vans Presents: The Tony Alva Story – Premiering Worldwide Today at 5pm PST (9.17.20)

VANS PRESENTS

THE TONY ALVA STORY

Written and Directed by Coan “Buddy” Nichols & Rick Charnoski from Six Stair Productions

 

TUNE-IN TO THE LIVESTREAM PREMIERE TODAY

SEPTEMBER 17, 5PM PST ON YOUTUBE.COM/VANS

FOLLOWED BY Q&A SESSION WITH TONY ALVA AND SPECIAL GUESTS

The year-long wait is finally over! Skateboarding critics and fans worldwide can rejoice today, as Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel brand, premieres the highly anticipated full-length Loveletters to Skateboarding feature documentary on the legendary “Godfather of Skateboarding”, Tony Alva. Tune in today on Vans’ YouTube at 5PM PST to experience the global livestream premiere of The Tony Alva Story. Following the documentary, a special Q&A hosted by fellow Vans skate legend Christian Hosoi will feature Tony Alva himself, original Z-Boy Peggy Oki, Vans Signature Pro Elijah Berle, and Six Stair directors Rick Charnoski and Buddy Nichols.

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It’s Time For Another Year of 31 Days of Vans! (#31daysofVans)

Yes, it’s that time of year again to celebrate our unofficial Vans holiday, created by us, for us!  Show off your love for all things Vans.  There’s no formula to this shit, just share your pairs, and use the campaign hashtag #31daysofvans.  Let’s see how much the Vans Family has grown from last year.  Thanks to Kyle for producing some sick banner graphics for the cause!