About Vans
In 1966, brothers Paul Van Doren and Jim Van Doren with Gordon C. Lee opened the first Vans store under the name The Van Doren Rubber Company, at 704 East Broadway in Anaheim, California. The business manufactured shoes and sold them directly to the public. On that first morning, twelve customers purchased Vans #44 deck shoes, which are now known as "Authentic". In 1976, Vans released the Vans #95, now known as the Era, with a padded collar and different color combinations and becomes the shoe of choice for a generation of skateboarders. Also Vans’ “Off The Wall” logo makes its debut. The next year, 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. Now this shoe has become the unmistakable hallmark of the Vans brand. The Vans #98 is also introduced and with the help of skateboarders and BMX riders, Vans Classic Slip-Ons become an icon for generations. By the end of the 70s, Vans has 70 stores in California and sells both nationally and internationally. The Sk8-Hi was introduced in 1978 as "Style 38", now-iconic Vans Sidestripe on yet another innovative silhouette, a shoe which became skaters’ favorite. In 1988, The Vans Steve Caballero, the first signature skate shoe, is introduced. Vans begins creating the world's leading action sports series with the purchase of the Triple Crown of Surfing; by 2000 the Vans Triple Crown Series will include events in skateboarding, BMX, surfing, wakeboarding, snowboarding, freestyle motocross and supercross. A lot of athletes wearing Vans Snowboard Boots, won Olympic Medals. In 2005, Vans collaborated with Marc Jacobs through the Vault by Vans line. Vans releases first-ever surf film, "Get-N Classic, Vol. 1" and the global expansion continues. In 2013, Vans collaborates with rock band Metallica. Also, Vans teams up with the Beatles franchise to create the Spring 2014 The Beatles Yellow Submarine by Vans collection. Vans, is chosen as “Brand of the Year” by footwear news during the trade publication’s annual achievement awards in December 2014. In the summer of 2015, Vans releases the Disney and Vans 'Young at Heart' and the Vault by Vans x Takashi Murakami collections. These collaborations become instant fan favorites selling out across the globe. Over the years Vans open House of Vans in different places and Vans establishes skateboarding’s first ever men’s and women’s Park Terrain World Championship Series, the Vans Park Series. Vans and Karl Lagerfeld announce the launch of an exclusive Vans x Karl Lagerfeld capsule collection in September 2017. Generally, Vans has released a lot of special collections like Vans x The Simpsons, Disney x Vans and Marvel x Vans and Vans X National Geographic. Today, The Anaheim Factory pack pays tribute to our first factory in Anaheim, California.
