VANS was co-founded by the brothers Paul and Jim Van Doren, California brand Vans is the label that springs to mind when you think of skate shoes.
The new emerging brand had a reputation as a skate shoe brand, but over the years clawed its way in the streetwear and sneaker industry and became a street giant become synonymous with rebel outsiders.
Having survived bankruptcy in the ’80s and the skate brand wars of the late ’90s, Vans thrives today coz of its five classic sneaker models and a multitude of diverse collaborations.
VANS logo usually recognizable by the vans and off the wall text logo, located on the tongue or the heel tab of the shoe and sometimes runs along the jazz stripe as well. The “jazz stripe,” started life as a Paul Van Doren doodle inspired by the exhaust pipes on a 1967 Shelby Cobra sports car and debuted on the Style 36 sneaker (aka the Old Skool).
Vans makes shoes designed for skate performance that can be sold at a reasonable price. With their affordability and versatility, Vans’ five classic models, the Authentic, Era, Old Skool, Slip-On, and Sk8-Hi, have become hugely popular lifestyle sneakers worn by celebrities, rappers, punks, and the average Joe in the street.
THE HOUSE OF VANS IS WHERE “OFF THE WALL” LIVES.
The VANS Company, in the early stages was unique. The Van Doren Rubber Company manufactures shoes on premises and sells them directly to the public.
On that first morning, 12 customers purchase shoes, which are made that day and ready for pick-up in the afternoon.
The name House of Vans originated in the early 70s. Skateboarders liked the rugged look of the vas and the sticky sole that came with it. These were showcased on the windows of the Anaheim location.
The Vans #95, now known as the Era, with a padded collar and different color combinations, becomes the shoe of choice for a generation of skateboarders.
The Sk8-Hi was introduced in 1978 as “Style 38,” and showcased the now-iconic Vans Side stripe on yet another innovative silhouette. As only the second model featuring the recognizable marker formerly known as the “jazz stripe,” where skateboarders used and abused their lower extremities the most. The Sk8-Hi not only shielded bones from skateboards catapulted at them but also brought a whole new look to the park.
Vans Classic Slip-Ons gain international attention and appeal when they are worn by Sean Penn in the film Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
In 1996, Vans and Supreme launch long-term partnership with a series of co-branded Old Skools
In the year 2000, VANS was crowned as the ‘AMERICA’S BEST SMALL COMPANY FOR 2000’ by the Forbes magazine.
In 2004, Vans, which was already the brand of youth opened its doors to the would-be fashion designers to design and make custom vans and from here VANS CUSTOMS made its debut.
The vans were now made in different colors and patterns which made them more looking like out of this world and now contributing to the fashion and street industry as well.
COLLABORATIONS
In celebration of 20 years of snow, Vans releases Mountain Edition Apparel, which offers a range of streetwear designs and is the first apparel collection designed specifically for the snow.
Vans collaborates with rock band Metallica. Each Metallica member – James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo – designs his own shoe and collaborates with Vans athletes including Pat Moore, Steve Caballero, Nathan Fletcher and Tony Trujillo for a special OffTheWall.TV series
Vans teams up with Disney for a Fall 2013 collaboration featuring some of the most beloved Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Donald Duck on Vans’ classic shoes.
Vans takes off to a galaxy far, far away for an out-of-this-world collection featuring artwork from the original Star Wars trilogy. The Force is strong with Van.
After 51 years of moving across the heart of Southern California, Vans, the original action sports brand and the icon of creative expression, has settled into a new global headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA. The new office signals Vans’ focus on continued growth and success.
