From AVE 2.0 to OTW By Vans, Vans Celebrates the Culture of Skateboarding

Last Friday, the week-long Vans-Paris takeover culminated in a party that harnessed the energy of Paris Fashion Week, of Go Skateboarding Day and the Fete de la Musique united.

At the beginning of last week, Vans held a skate jam in honor of the skateboarding pioneer Anthony Van Engelen and its significance for the development of shoe design with the release of AVE 2.0.

This was followed by the opening of the exhibition last Wednesday “Skate Photography Exhibition” of Atiba Jefferson, the curator of the Vans brand and legendary photographer, in collaboration with Architecture c/o Virgil Abloh.

Ending with OTW by Vans Checkered Future, these moments set the stage for a new storytelling approach launching this July.

‍

‍

The event OTW by Vans Checkered Future, which welcomed the skateboard, streetwear, fashion, art and music scene from Paris and the surrounding area, offered a monumental installation on Montmartre Hill below the famous Sacré-Cœur Basilica.

‍

‍

The installation, designed by OTW by Vans in collaboration with PLAYLAB, INC. and California Skateparks, hosted a large skate bowl and a live skate exhibition that paid tribute to the unconventional art of skate culture.

‍

‍

The Vans skate team from around the world, including Efron Danzig, Curren Caples, Mami Tezuka, Tania Cruz, Elijah Berle, Diego Todd, Martino Cattaneo, Stafhon Boca, Anthony Van Engelen, Rowan Zorilla, Hugo Westrelin and Willow Voges Fernandes, skated the installation all day long.

‍

‍

‍

‍

Kaytranada, Venus X, Busy P and Tatyana Jane performed at the summit of Montmartre, on a DJ platform in the shape of a chessboard with a view of Paris, and JUSTICE was the headliner.

‍

Notable Voices:

“We have worn out tons of white vans over the years, it was time we get fresh ones.”

— Justice

‍

“We live and make music in the 18th arrondissement, and it's wild that Vans is taking over the most iconic park in our hometown! We're super excited to DJ for Paris' “Fête de la Musique” and Go Skateboarding Day. Vans is bringing people together with style, blending skate, music, and art.”

— Busy P

‍

“Skating with a massive party is always a good time, but this was next level.”

— Curren Caples, Vans Athlete

‍

“OTW continues to elevate and disrupt the way we think about skateboarding against the backdrop of key cultural moments. From the music, to the skateable installation, and this iconic location, OTW embodies our purpose, spirit and attitude rooted in skateboarding.”

— Ian Ginoza, Vice President, Creative Director for OTW by Vans

‍

“Over 50 years of Vans events, and this moment is one of the best. Skateboarding, our athletes, our community all together in this special place is one for the history books.”

— Steve Van Doren, Vans Ambassador and Son of the Founder

‍

‍

In addition to Drieke Leenknegt, global CMO of Vans, and Ian Ginoza, vice president and creative director of OTW by Vans, as well as Steve Van Doren, Vans ambassador and son of the founder, guests included Emily Ratajkowski, Paloma Elsesser, Dev Hynes, Bella Poarch, Meadow Walker, Omar Apollo, Jonathan Anderson, Danielle Haim, Fai Khadra, Haze Khadra, Christina Paik, Kim Shui, Moses Sumney, Malick Bodian, Haider Ackermann, Ross Lynch, Devyn Garcia, Yumi Nootenboom, Alva Claire, Rocky Xu, Benji B, Pierce Abernathy, Mike Eckhaus and Sam Richardson.

Here are more impressions from the event:

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

The event at Sacré-Coeur showcased the best Vans experiences and designs from OTW by Vans and built on recent events of this kind, such as the skateable installation by PLAYLAB, INC. with Sterling Ruby at Frieze Los Angeles or the OTW by Vans Launch Party on the banks of the Seine last year.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

Photos via Vans/Astra Marina for BFA, Pierrick Rocher for BFA, Nolan Zangas, Anthony Acosta, Atiba Jefferson