LBIFBACK Review: Vans x Anderson Paak “Malibu” Sid DX

It’s been awhile since we’ve seen a review from brotha’ Daniel, aka LBIFBACK, and this time we get a good look at the Anderson .Paak “Malibu” Sid DX.  The shoe is wild, eclectic, and definitely original, just like Anderson’s style.  This is a great introduction to possibly a few more releases we’ll hopefully get to see by him.  Thanks again to @akamedaniel for the awesome video review!

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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LBIFBACK Review: Vans Vault Originals x Pilgrim Surf + Supply OG Authentic LX (Olive/Deep Ocean)

Everyone’s favorite Vans reviewer, and our brotha’, Daniel aka LBIFBACK , is back with a new review of the Vans Vault x Pilgrim Surf + Supply Olive/Deep Ocean OG Authentic LX.  These have to be one of the nicest colorways that Pilgrim has put out.  Anyways, check em out!

A Closer Look At The Vault x Julian Klincewicz Bold Ni LX via Sole Classics (@SoleClassics)

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Thanks to our friends over at Sole Classics, we get a closer look at the Vault By Vans x Julian Klincewicz pack.  This pack is really nice, and the materials and colorways are very soft and subtle.  They almost have that “Gym Standard OG Old Skool LX” inspiration, if you ask me.  The Bold Ni is a “bold” choice, but not a bad one at all.  We always try to refer our community to the shops that always support us, and who we feel represent the Vans sneaker culture really well, so if you are looking for these, then Sole Classics will be carrying them, starting August 1st.  Support our friends!

CLICK ON THE PIC ABOVE TO BE REDIRECTED TO SOLE CLASSICS!

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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!

Vans Gives Back – Frontline Appreciation Discount (30% 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.  

Under The Palms x Kyle Sliney – “Rocket Times” Tee (Now Available For Pre-Order!)

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Inspired by an iconic movie that plays a big part of our Vans culture, we wanted to pay homage to this movie, and upcoming sneaker release, by bringing you this awesome graphic tee, designed by our bro, UTP OG Kyle “rocketgoof” Sliney, aka @iamrocketkyle, aka Pop Rocket Creations. I’ve had this idea for awhile, and I couldn’t go to anyone else but Kyle, for this retro design. He absolutely nailed it.

We will be printing up a limited run of these in either Black or White, but you know you can’t pick just one, so order both! Printed on the same Shaka Retro 6.5 oz soft tee that we used for our last design, which we got nothing but great feedback on, so we’ll continue to use it. Glad y’all liked our decision to go with those! (Also, the t-shirt mockup pics are simulated, but the graphic will be 13″ wide on back, and 4″ wide on front)

Pre-order pricing in effect for 2 weeks only, and will end on Friday 2/28 so don’t sleep. Oh, and of course we will have a special themed sticker-pak for all of you who pre-order.

CLICK ON PIC ABOVE OR BELOW TO ORDER!

USE DISCOUNT CODE “PICKUP” FOR FREE LOCAL PICK-UP OR DELIVERY IF I KNOW YOU!

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Hero For Kids Foundation – Fundraiser Campaign Update!

Thank you so much to my very talented brother @LazyWORK for this totally awesome artwork, to help promote our GoFundMe campaign, in partnership with @ofthesamevein, and @thelab_bp, to raise funds with the @heroforkidsfoundation to get some Vans for the homeless youth of Orange County. Sometimes, all it takes is a new pair of shoes to boost someone’s self esteem, and that’s one of our goals with this campaign. Charity doesn’t always have to be so serious and practical, (although shoes are very practical to these kids, especially the ones I saw skating during their recess, today!), but it can be unique, and done in our own way, which is just what we’re good at. Today it’s shoes, but in the future, we’ll work on some fun new ways to help the Hero For Kids foundation. School functions; Funding field trips; Pizza parties; Clothing drives; etc. Our GoFundMe campaign has reached the $1k mark, and we still need more, so please make any donation that you can. We’ll be sending out a THANK YOU card of this artwork as well, and don’t worry, the same goes for everyone who’s already donated. We’ll just need you to email us your info!

PLEASE CLICK ON THE PIC OR HERE TO HELP US HELP THE KIDS!

Vans For Homeless Youth of Orange County (GoFundMe campaign)

Attention!! Calling on everyone in our Vans community and beyond! I’ve got an important mission that I’m hoping you all can get behind me on.  I wanted to do something special for a special group of kids down in the OC, with a few of my friends from Waves of Grace, @ofthesamevein and @thelab_bp. These kids’ situation sucks, to put it lightly.  If you have HBO, please search for the documentary “Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County”.  The doc is about 10 yrs old, but the school still exists and supports new kids each year through their charity Hero For Kids.  Let’s get together and show these kids that we fully support them and just show how amazing our Vans community is!

DONATE HERE!

Blends CM x Under The Palms – Meet The Waffleheads (Event Recap!)

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This past Thursday we co-hosted our first of hopefully many meet and greets, to celebrate Vans culture in a way unlike any other culture out there.  Some sneaker brands organize their communities around an outdoor activity, a basketball tournament, a sneaker convention of sorts, etc.  Something that represents their demographic and their style.  Well, it’s kind of hard to put a finger on what exactly our Vans sneaker community is, and perhaps that’s the best part about it.  Like the campaign slogan a few years back, “Not Just One Thing”, so as are we.  When Julz, Nobu, and I first started talking about an idea of doing an event, we had no direction, and nothing to build off of, and it sorta’ got put on the back burner a few times.  Well, as Vans started rolling out the WAFFLEHEADS campaign, and my name started popping up, that started to provide us with some inspiration.  The Blends CM crew decided we should host an event for me, showcasing some of my collection, similar to how some of my pairs are currently on display in Chicago and in NYC at two of Vans’ flagship stores, but we’d try to add another layer to it, by also hosting a social gathering, to bring out our local WAFFLEHEADS family.  Perfect!  Now the work starts.

So now that we had a “waffleheads” theme to run with, we started thinking of all the possibilities for an event.  I’ve been working on a new Antidot sneaker refresher fragrance with the SolScience guys, and it was based around a maple syrup scent, geared for fresh waffles, aka Vans, so I wanted to make sure we could somehow work them into the mix, which turned out great.  We then thought how cool it would be to get the Vans waffle maker machine for our event, which we’ve only seen at a handful of them.  We knew it was a shot in the dark, and we’d most likely get shot down, but we just had to ask.  Our PR homie Michelle C. handed us off to the Vans marketing team, and boy did we get hooked up.  We not only got Vans to come make us about 100 or so waffles, they also hooked us up with chain-stitch artist Ben Goetting, to personalize the chore coats that were being sold during the event, which then turned into people getting to customize their free Vans tote bags that were being given out.  I apologize for having Ben stay til closing, due to the long line and high demand for his art services!  We also had free beer from Bootleggers, who recently opened a tap room about 50 yards away from Blends CM, and what’s better than free beer?!

The most important thing about the event wasn’t the rare sneakers on display.  Nope.  It was our people.  It was a reunion of sorts.  Some guys I haven’t seen for a few years now, since the last time the #blendsboiz camped out for sneakers!  Some were new friends that just started to discover our community, and some just happened to be sneaker enthusiasts who happened to stop by while on vacation from Canada, who were stoked to see something like this going on!  That’s just so cool to me.  Our plan of having the event on a Thursday night, to attract friends and fam from Vans HQ worked out quite nicely too, as I met a few folks who I never met before.  My family came out in droves as well, and I thank each and every one of you.  Seriously, most of the pics you’re going to see are of the people.  That’s what makes this shit cool for me.  If I can get people to come out, by way of this Vans vehicle, then I’ll ride it til’ the wheels fall off!  Stay tuned for more fun and innovative ways to incorporate more and more people to join in on our fun and youthful culture.

Please enjoy all of the pics after the jump, who mostly came from my homie Eason, Nate, and my bro Ron.

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