31 Days of Vans 2023 – Waffleheads BBQ Event Recap Video

Just a dope recap video from the 31 Days of Vans 2023 Waffleheads BBQ at Vans HQ, shot, edited, and produced by Kevin Ancheta, for all of us. He was the guy walking around the event with the camera, filming everyone. See if he made you famous!

Vans Skateboarding Presents ‘Onward’: An All-New Skate Film from Lizzie Armanto

Lizzie’s first full-length edit in nearly five years highlights her one-of-a-kind style and solidifies her position among skateboarding’s best

Watch the Global Digital Premiere of ‘Onward’ today 

at 5 PM PST

Those who know Vans pro skateboarder Lizzie Armanto, know that her barrier-breaking approach to skateboarding has shifted the landscape. Her accolades, like appearing on the world stage to represent the sport, speak for themselves and make her a role model for skateboarders everywhere. Expanding on her list of accomplishments, Vans, the global leader in skateboarding for more than 50 years, is proud to unveil a fresh angle on Lizzie’s world-class skateboarding in a new film, Onward, directed by celebrated filmmaker Greg Hunt and filmed by master lensmen Chris Gregson and TJ Gaskill.

The first full-length edit from Lizzie in nearly five years, Onward showcases what Lizzie has become known for—her humble, hard-working approach, one-of-a-kind style, and tenacity to make any trick a reality.

“It’s been incredible to see Lizzie overcome her injuries and get to where she’s at now,” Hunt said. “And it’s so much fun to work with Chris Gregson’s and TJ Gaskill’s footage. I’m really excited to see this come together.”

The goal was to create a film as visually exciting as Lizzie’s skating, adds Gregson, noting that they drew inspiration from her love for traveling, which is represented in the various locations Onward was filmed, as well as spending time with a close-knit group of her friends and fellow skateboarders. Featuring appearances from Mami Tezuka and Axel Cruysberghs, the film drives home Lizzie’s gratitude to the skate community and her ultimate support system of friends and family.  

In anticipation of the film’s premiere, Lizzie shared the following about what the project has meant to her: In the past, filming felt like I was trying to prove I was ‘good enough’. I feel like this part has been about proving that to myself, and that I am stronger than my injuries. Everyone involved in the project has been a huge motivator. We kept the crew small. My favorite thing is that everyone’s passionate about what they’re doing, and it’s been contagious.”

Earlier this season, Vans and Lizzie dropped a new, head-to-toe collection that leads with her first signature skateboarding silhouette, The Lizzie. The offering opens the aperture on what inclusive, all-gender footwear and apparel looks like, and reinforces that skateboarding should be open to everyone.

Tune in at 5 PM today at vans.com/lizzie for the global premiere of Vans Skateboarding’s Onward, featuring Lizzie Armanto.

The Authentic Era Podcast – Episode 25 (1.18.22) (Now Available!)

(I’m going to start posting our episodes up on here as well, so sorry in advance! -Bill)

We are back from our Winter break! Refreshed, and ready to get back on our bullshit for 2022. Everyone had a nice time off. Joe went to the Chargers v Raiders game in Vegas. Eddie enjoyed getting a cold. Bill didn’t get too much done, and just hung out with the fam.

After our quick drink intros, we got into a little bit of current events, which included volcano eruptions, tsunami warnings, and the Omarion variant, jk. Eddie wants to find a place to travel to soon, possibly SoCal, so we’ll see.

Current Vans releases include the CDG White OG Old Skools, the Year of the Tiger pack that was designed by Chinese artist Huatunan. The Sandy Liang pack is coming soon, and it’s dope. Vault is dropping a Taka Amazon Trail Low, and Sneeze mag has a trio of Skate Chukkas for us, this Friday.

If you didn’t know by now, we’re the non-experts of NFTs. If you still feel like they’re scammy, and ridiculous, and a money grab, then you’re in the right place. Well, one of our respected institutions of streetwear culture, All Gone Book by Michael Dupuoy “LAMJC”, has decided to feature BAYC “Bored Ape Yacht Club” on the cover of the 2021 edition. Bill took out his collection of All Gone books, going back to 2007, up to 2014, where he decided to stop, because he’s a completist and could never get his hands on the inaugural 2006 book. Anyways, needless to say, we’re a little disappointed with the 2021 book. That led into an entire tangent about NFT’s, the Wal-Mart shopping metaverse, and our comparison of all this stuff, to the Chuck E. Cheese business model. Also, shouts to Bobby Hundreds’ IG stories last week for giving us some ammo.

Lastly, just a little hot VF Corp. gossip. They will be terminating all unvaccinated employees by Jan. 31st, so we wish all of those well, who are deciding to put their bodies before their job. It’s a personal choice, and we respect that.

You can drop in for the live Twitch stream, every Tuesday (10PM CDT / 8PM PDT), or on our Youtube channel. Audio formats can be found on Apple podcasts, Spotify, and Anchor. 

All views and opinions are strictly our own, and not affiliated with anything. If we offend any of you, just know that it wasn’t personal, and we love everyone and everything. Don’t take life so seriously, and that includes us. 

LBIFBACK Review: Vans Vault x Taka Hayashi AMZN TRL LX (Suede/Nubuck) Marzipan/Pebble

Been waiting for this review!  Vans and Taka Hayashi created a hiking boot, and I really want a pair!  Daniel (LBIFBACK) always comes correct with the awesome video reviews, and this one’s no different.  Check it out when you get a chance, and subscribe to his channel.

Vans Presents: A Look Back: Dogtown And Z-Boys

Vans is proud to present A Look Back: DogTown and Z-Boys, a retrospective of Stacy Peralta’s award-winning documentary that marks the film’s 20-year anniversary. Directed by Glen E. Friedman alongside filmmaker Eric Matthies, A Look Back: DogTown and Z-Boys revisits the documentary’s original cast to explore the film’s impact—not only on their lives, but on the culture of skateboarding.

Many original Z-Boys return to the screen for A Look Back, including Peralta, Peggy Oki, Wentzle Ruml, Skip Engblom, Paul Constantineau, Jim Muir and Tony Alva. A Santa Monica native and one of Vans first skate team riders, Alva’s name is forever linked to skateboarding’s origins. As a teenager in the ‘70s, he collaborated with Vans to create the brand’s first true “Off The Wall” shoe for skateboarding. More than four decades later, Alva’s story is just as powerful, immortalizing him as a revolutionary who turned Dogtown into skateboarding’s intrepid capital.

“The original film not only shed light on the foundation of modern skateboarding, it showed us the stories of those who made it happen,” Friedman said.  “Our film goes a bit deeper into what some of the participants thought of the film they stared in, and how it has since affected their and how it has since affected their lives and their brothers who have passed since its release 20 years ago.”

Friedman, who makes his directorial debut with A Look Back, is universally considered as one of the most prominent photographers of his generation, most well-known for his influential images of rebellious artists from skateboarding, punk and hip hop.  Ranging from the Beastie Boys, Run-D.M.C. and Ice-T, to Z-Boys Alva and Jay Adams, Friedman’s photographs cemented the importance of these radical subcultures at their beginnings.  His work is included in notable international collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Smithsonian Institution.  Eric Matthies, who co-produced the film, is known for his broadcast, cinema and multi-media projects, and has produced globally recognized documentaries that have garnered a PGA Award, Grammy nomination, NAACP Image Award nomination, LAFF Audience Choice award, Saturn award, and Social Justice Fund nomination. A Look Back: DogTown and Z-Boys premiered globally on September 23 at the 2021 Paris Surf & Skate Film Festival.

“The Zephyr crew had an enormous impact on my peers and I, not only as skaters, but as artists and filmmakers,” Matthies said. “This project was a great opportunity to give something back to our skate community.”

The original DogTown and Z-Boys documentary rose to critical acclaim after its release in 2001, led by director and original Zephyr skateboard team member Stacy Peralta, and was co-written by Craig R. Stecyk III and co-produced by Friedman. Chronicling the rise of skateboarding in backyard pools in 1970s’ Santa Monica and Venice, the original documentary drew on a compilation of vintage images and video clips combined with present-day interviews, encapsulating how the Z-Boys ultimately created a skateboarding subculture that defined a generation and influenced those to come. The original documentary won two awards at Sundance Film Festival and an Independent Spirit Award in 2001.

LBIFBACK Review: Vans “31 Days of Vans” Skate Half Cab (Vans Family) Red/White

LBIFBACK was one of the lucky few to score a pair of the “31 Days of Vans” Skate Half Cabs that surprise dropped this past week, and he wasted no time in getting us one of his professional video reviews on them.  I had spoken with him a little while before filming, to provide him with a little bit of how this project came about, and what small role I had played in all of it.  I don’t take any credit for the shoe, and especially the design of it, hehe, but I will accept that I spoke on behalf of everyone in our Vans sneaker community, that we wanted this to happen.  I think the proof is in the selling out in most popular sizes, within about an hour or so, and only about 3 pairs showing up on eBay.  That’s the true testament.  People aren’t going to be giving these things up easily, cause they know these were made for us.  For you all.  Thanks for the shout-out Daniel, appreciate you brotha’. Check out his proper review, and leave a comment on his channel.

Vans x Sole Classics – “Carmen” Hand-Dyed Authentic (Video!)

Check out this awesome video created by Sole Classics, featuring the entire process that Dan and Derick went through, to make all 86 pairs of the Carmen Authentic.  Each pair was touched by their hands.  If this doesn’t get you stoked for this release, then what are you even doing here, lol?!

LBIFBACK Review: Vans Vault Originals OG Style 23 LX (Canvas/Black)

LBIFBACK gives us another one of his dope Vans sneaker reviews, this time on the Vault OG Style 23 LX.  A shoe I can definitely get down with, and plan on picking up soon.  Check it out, and leave a comment on his channel.

Vans Skate – Grosso Forever (4.28.21)

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

To pay tribute to skate legend, historian, gatekeeper, and beloved Vans family member Jeff Grosso, and to mark his birthday, Vans is proud to announce a new Love Letters To Skateboarding episode solely featuring Jeff, complimented by the Grosso Forever collection.

Vans’ special birthday episode of Love Letters to Skateboarding celebrates Jeff’s life, in his own words, and was compiled by long time co-creators, Buddy Nichols and Rick Charnoski of Six Stair Productions. The episode illustrates Jeff’s raw, authentic and often-opinionated take on skateboarding that was captured during a decade of filming the series.

Jeff’s genuine love for skateboarding shined through in everything he said and did, and his support for the community–especially the up-and-coming generations—came from a true belief that skateboarding belonged to the kids. Gaining notoriety in the 1980’s within the competitive scene, he quickly became one of the most recognizable faces in skateboarding with the onset of skate videos that highlighted his skill along with his sardonic wit and audaciousness. Jeff was known for entertaining the masses with his self-deprecating humor and antagonistic spirit. In the span of his influence on the sport, however, Jeff became the unofficial skate historian, helping to create ten years of Vans’ Love Letters to Skateboarding with his unique and raw commentary on the industry.

“It’s you, your skateboard, and the world. So go out and make it your own.”
– Jeff Grosso

Jeff wore Vans for 50 years, and the Grosso Forever collection features iconic designs that he sported during formative moments in his early career. Royalties from this collection will go directly to Jeff’s son, Oliver.

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Click on any of the pics above or HERE to shop the collection and have your money go to a good cause.

more pics after the jump Read More

Instagram Live Interview with Clayton Boone @wearingwaffles

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Wearing Waffles (@wearingwaffles)

Fellow Wafflehead, Clayton Boone (@wearingwaffles) and I get together for an hour long chat about Vans, Vans, and more Vans.  He just started doing these Instagram Live videos, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each one he’s done.  It’s grassroots and it’s simple, so don’t get turned off by the Zoom-esque audio and video quality!  The content is still entertaining, I think?  There’s no real format or style, other than just talking about Vans, and our love for them.  We talked a little bit about how Under The Palms started.  What a few of my favorite pairs are.  Why I don’t care to show off my entire collection, and specifically my storage unit lol.  I gossip a little.  I name drop.  I drop a little bit of a surprise at the end, in regards to this year’s 31 Days of Vans campaign.  You don’t want to miss a second of this fun little interview we did.  I’ll definitely be back to talk more with Clayton, and hopefully his following will have grown 10x in size!  I’m stoked that he actually created something, that to be honest I’ve been trying to think of a way to do for a long time, but for one, I didn’t know where to start, but second, I just don’t like to be on the front side of the camera.  I guess I need to work on that.  Maybe we’ll start doing something like this one day.  Maybe!