Vans “OFF THE WALL” is a rallying cry for self-expression. From art and music to skating and surfing they are showcasing the people who inspire them with their creativity, authenticity, and passion. The Vans brand evolution continues today, from its foundation as an original skateboarding company, to its emergence as a leading action sports brand, to its rise to become the world’s largest youth culture brand. An all-time favourite, the Old Skool are a wardrobe staple. Designed for both men and women, these are the most versatile sneakers on the market. Vans’ shoes have often been customised cosmetically by wearers, with many of their painting and drawing patterns being adopted by the company for their official models. Most notably, the checkerboard pattern, popular in ska and punk culture, was adopted after the company noticed skateboarders drawing it on their shoes. The original skateboard logo was designed in Costa Mesa, California, in the 1970s by Mark Van Doren, son of then-President and co-owner James Van Doren, at age 13; Mark’s design was a stencil, allowing the logo to be spray-painted onto his skateboards. The design was incorporated into the heel tab on Style 95, an early Vans skateboard shoe. Mark’s interest in skateboarding is what led the brand to manufacture skateboarding shoes. In 1976, Vans began using its “Off The Wall” motto, a slang phrase used by skateboarders while doing tricks in empty pools. Around this time, the brand released its Vans Side-stripe and Vans #36, also known as the “Old Skool” design.
