Vans UK

Brothers Paul Van Doren and Jim Van Doren along with partners Gordon Lee and Serge Delia open The Van Doren Rubber Company, Anaheim, Calif., for business on March 16.

The Vans #95, now known as the Era, with a padded collar and different color combinations, is designed by Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta and becomes the shoe of choice for a generation of skateboarders. Vans #36, the Old Skool, debuts with the now famous Vans Sidestripe. The Old Skool is Vans’ first skate shoe that incorporated leather panels for increased durability. What started as a random doodle by Paul Van Doren was originally referred to as the “jazz stripe” and has become the unmistakable hallmark of the Vans brand.

History

1978
The Sk8-Hi, was introduced in 1978 as "Style 38", and showcased the now-iconic Vans Sidestripe on yet another innovative silhouette. The Sk8-Hi took skate functionality to the next level—above the ankle, where skateboarders used and abused their lower extremities the most.

1988
The Vans Steve Caballero, the first signature skate shoe, is introduced. The Half Cabwent on to become one of the most iconic and culturally significant shoes in the history of skateboarding.

1995
Vans brings the Warped Tour to the main-stage for the first time.

In May 2015, Vans makes skateboarding history with the highly anticipated launch of PROPELLER: A Vans Skateboarding Video, Vans' first-ever skateboarding film. This momentous occasion saw valuable international exposure for the Vans Pro Skate Team and even more global recognition for Vans' storied legacy in skateboarding. PROPELLER becomes one of the fastest-selling skate films to ever hit iTunes.