Vans OTW Collection | Action Sports, Art, Music, Design, and Authentic Street Fashion

Via SNAV: A Trip Abroad Pt. II

While in Berlin I got invited to a private dinner. My first thought is what am I going to eat at this dinner. Lol It was a beautiful night in Berlin. The Berlin Skyline reminds me of New York.
Read more »

Labels: Berlin Launch Party, chris kong, dimitri coste, eric elms, lupe fiasco, soho haus berlin, vans otw advocates

Lupe Fiasco Set to Perform at Rolling Stone's Bacardi Bash

Rolling Stone celebrates Bacardi's 150th Anniversary this Saturday and Sunday as part of their Rock Weekend celebration. The music publication has pegged Vans OTW Advocate Lupe Fiasco along with other acts such LMFAO, Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship and DJ/actress Taryn Manning to as performers for Saturday's Bacardi Bash! The event takes place February 4 at Indianapolis's Crane Bay Event Center from 8pm to 2am. Tickets are still available, get yours at Eventbrite.

Labels: bacardi bash, barcadi bash, cobra starship, crane bay event center, gym class heroes, lmfao, lupe fiasco, rolling stone, taryn manning, vans otw advocates

Via SNAV: A Trip Abroad Pt. I

I recently had the chance to go to Berlin, Germany to be part of the OTW House of Vans launch. At first I was like Berlin, huh lol. I didn’t know that Germany was into Vans like that. So it was about that time to find out and after a 9-hour flight I was glad to finally land in Berlin.
Read more »

Labels: Berlin, Berlin Launch Party, checkpoint charlie, Germany, via SNAV

Stainless Steel and Marble Sculptures by UNMASK

A trio of Beijing-based artists under the moniker Unmask Group or Liu Zhan, Kuang Jun and Tan Tianwei create these intense figurative sculptures out of stainless steel and marble. The works are quite beautiful and expressive. Check out the rest of them after the fold.

Labels: art, china, modern art, sculptures, steel, via Y.S.

Throwback Thursday: "Daydreamin'" - Lupe Fiasco f/ Jill scott

This edition of Throwback Thursday revisits Lupe Fiasco's "Daydreamin'" single from 2006. One of the lead singles off of Food & Liquor, "Daydreamin'" helped propel Fiasco into the international spotlight and it also lead to his first Grammy win in 2008 for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Over five years later, we see the sequel to Food & Liquor on the horizon with Food & Liquor II currently in the works and we also see another possible Grammy win with Fiasco going into the 2012 ceremony with three nominations for his work on Lasers.

Labels: 2006, daydreamin, food and liquor, jill scott, lupe fiasco, vans otw advocates

JR: The Wrinkles of the City, Los Angeles

French street artist JR, was in Los Angeles working on his "The Wrinkles of the City" project which features the large-scale photo murals of the city's residents. The LA Chapter of the project is detailed in this short film that captures the back story behind JR's murals and gives the viewer insight into how much research, time and energy a project like this costs.

Labels: JR, short film, street art, via Y.S., wheatpaste

The Making of "Angels & Stars" - Eric Turner f/ Lupe Fiasco & Tinie Tempah

Here's a behind the scenes look at the official video for Eric Turner's single, "Angels & Stars" featuring guests verses by London-born MC Tinie Tempah and Vans OTW Advocate Lupe Fiasco. Be on the lookout for the complete production due out this Friday!

Labels: behind the scenes, eric turner, lupe fiasco, Music Video, tinie tempah, Vans Otw, vans otw advocates

Garage Works x Ron English x Slash Sculpture

Vans OTW Advocate Chris Kong and his Garage Works production house bring Slash's R&NR to life. Based on the album cover art that artist Ron English created for the legendary guitarist, the artist and Garage Works Industries present the ‘R&FNR’ sculpture. A release date and further information will follow soon! Be on the lookout for this one!

Chris Kong and Slash

Labels: chris kong, collaboration toy, r fnr album, ron english, slash, vans otw advocates

Tim Doyle's "Unreal Estate" Illustrations

Artist Tim Doyle re-imagines famous locations from The Simpsons, Seinfeld, Breaking Bad and other pop culture favorites in illustration form entitled "Unreal Estate".

Shop Stop: Vans Butcher's Block Berlin

The good folks at Vans Europe showed us around during our trip to Germany. We saw a few of our accounts and even headed over to the first German flagship store, Vans Butcher's Block Berlin. The location has a unique background - it was originally a butchers market but now it reps for the waffle sole and vulcanized rubber. When converting the spot from meat to retail, the visual team maintained the shop's trademark tiles which have adorned the walls for over 100 years. If you're in the Berlin Mitte area, drop by Alte Schönhauser Strasse 48 but if you're not in the area you can get a look around after the jump!

Via SNAV: Nothing but Shade

I got an invite to come up to Shade 45 radio station to the Statik Selektah show. Behind this curtain is where the fun takes place.

Via SNAV: Back to the Bowl

Word on the street that night was there was a special surprise DJ at the bowl so I had made my way back to the spot to see who it was. I waked in and of course Soul Train was up on the screen and the dance floor was packed.

Vans OTW Collection Spring 2012: Native American Pack

Spring 2012 of the Vans OTW Collection presents a trio of updated silhouettes with the Native American Pack. The Bedford and Ludlow come crafted in a combination of premium pull-up leather and heavy washed canvas, while the Alomar makes its mark with an all-leather aesthetic. Each shoe is finished off with antiqued eyelets, laser etched logo details and Native American print canvas linings. This three pack hits OTW retailers this February! Get a closer look at the Native American pack after the jump!
Read more »

Labels: alomar, Bedford, Ludlow, native american pack, spring 2012, vans otw collection

The Advocate Artwork of Eric Elms

Designer Eric Elms has a knack for word play and mixed media messaging in his art. Our Brooklyn-based Advocate showcased this talent in his Advocate exhibition at the House of Vans Berlin during our OTW Launch party last week. Elms integrated pop phrases, some OTW elements and even his favorite caricature, Kilroy, into his pennant art installation. Catch more of Eric's works over at Adorn and take a closer look at his latest set of work after the jump!
Read more »

Labels: advocate artwork 2012 berlin, Berlin Launch Party, eric elms, vans otw advocates

A Closer Look at the Advocate Artwork of Dimitri Coste

Dimitri Coste definitely gives the Dos Equis spokesman competition for the "Most Interesting Man in the World" moniker. Our Parisian OTW Advocate has so many interests - fashion, photography, film making, biking and the list goes on - and he's so passionate about each form. Being such an expert eclectic, Dimitri showcased his diverse talents to the world at the Vans OTW Berlin Launch party. His exhibit was a marriage of art and cycling as he showcased his photographs, his tricked out 1973 BSA Factory B50 Short Tracker and merged the two interests as he framed some of his work in tire frames. Definitely a unique display of artwork, take a closer look at Dimitri's exhibit after the jump!

Dimitri Coste for Fricote's "Soul Kitchen"

Fricote Magazine celebrated their one year anniversary in their fifth issue which hit newsstands last month. In their latest quarterly, Fricote profiled leading German beer company Warsteiner and also spotlighted Vans OTW Advocate Dimitri Coste for his love of the waffle (sole) in their "Soul Kitchen" column.

DC's spread made for quite the interesting read, as he showed off some of his most valued memorabilia including his waffle sole mural and Evel Knievel lunchbox. Keep an eye out for OTW cameos as the Dimitri Larkin Decon, Alomar and artwork from his fellow Advocates show up in this editorial. Check out "Soul Kitchen: Dimitri Coste" after the jump!
Read more »

Labels: dimitri coste, fricote, interview, soul kitchen, Vans Otw, vans otw advocates, waffle sole

Lupe Fiasco: Off the Wall in Berlin via Hypebeast

The Hypebeast crew caught up with Lupe Fiasco before his performance in Berlin last week. The Vans OTW Advocate opened up about his history with Vans, his Advocacy plans and his upcoming musical pursuits as a solo artist and as part of SNDCLSH with Sky Gellatly. Although Fiasco was still tight lipped about Food & Liquor II, he hinted at his shoe design process. Definitely a stylish guy, Lupe will not disappoint his fans in terms of music and footwear. Check out his Off the Wall in Berlin interview on Hypebeast.

Labels: Berlin Launch Party, hypebeast, lupe fiasco, Vans Otw, vans otw advocates

Cop This Book: "Behind Photographs: Archiving Photographic Legends" by Tim Mantoani

We've all seen these images whether on the cover of a magazine or on your favorite tumblr or a book but not many people have seen the photographers who've shot them. Tim Mantoani hopes to change that by taking portraits of famous photographers holding their most iconic or favorite photos. His book new book "Behind Photographs: Archiving Photographic Legends" which contains over 150 images of these portraits available now.

A Closer Look at Chris Kong's Made by Monsters

Aside from enjoying the sounds of Mos Def and Vans OTW Advocate Lupe Fiasco at our Berlin launch event, party goers also viewed the artwork of Chris Kong, Eric Elms and Dimitri Coste. Today we take a closer look at Kong's exhibit featuring a selection of vinyl figurines from his Made by Monsters label. Kong showcased some of his older works with "popagandist" artist Ron English along with newer projects including his musician collaborations with former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash and R&B star Chris Brown. Passerbys were quite fascinated with Kong's Marilyn Monroe sculpture. Why you ask? Take a look at the photos after the jump and you'll see for yourself.

Photo Recap: Daniel Arsham's "The Fall, the Ball, and the Wall"

Daniel Arsham’s solo exhibition at ohwow gallery titled "The Fall, the Ball, and the Wall" opened last week and we were there to check out the two-dimensional works, sculptures, and installations. "The Fall, the Ball, and the Wall" illustrates the artist’s continued interest in manipulating architecture and in challenging expectations of accepted realities. The exhibition will be on view until February 20th.

"Animae Dementia" Giant Paste Ups

Street artists Ro and l’Homme Pendu have been busy installing these giant paste-ups of mythical creatures entitled "Animae Dementia". These impressive works could be found in Paris as well as in Berlin, so if you were in town for our Vans OTW Launch party and didn't check these out as well, you missed out!
Read more »

Labels: art, Berlin, graffiti, street art, via Y.S., wheatpaste

LCD Sound System: SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS Trailer

LCD Sounds System are set to debut their documentary SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HIT S during Sundance 2012. The film retells the evens of: On April 2nd 2011, LCD Soundsystem played its final show at Madison Square Garden. LCD frontman James Murphy had made the conscious decision to disband one of the most celebrated and influential bands of its generation at the peak of its popularity, ensuring that the band would go out on top with the biggest and most ambitious concert of its career. The instantly sold out, near four-hour extravaganza did just that, moving the thousands in attendance to tears of joy and grief. SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS is both a narrative film documenting this once in a life time performance and an intimate portrait of James Murphy as he navigates the lead-up to the show, the day after, and the personal and professional ramifications of his decision. Also you get a chance to see James Murphy wear pajama pants with uggs, which is always a plus...

Labels: james murphy, lcd soundsystem, trailer, via Y.S., video

Photo Recap: Damien Hirst's “The Complete Spot Paintings 1986-2011”

Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills was one of the Gagosain's 11 international locations to hold an opening for Damien Hirst's retrospective of “The Complete Spot Paintings 1986-2011” featuring a collection of almost 300 paintings with most of them being lent by private individuals and public institutions, more than 150 different lenders from twenty countries. Beverly Hills location hosted the largest of spot paintings: "Pivalic Acid" measuring 21 ft x 21 ft. The exhibition is open until February 10 and shouldn't be missed. Check out our recap from the opening night.

Photo Recap: Vans OTW 2012 Berlin Launch Party

The Vans OTW Collection Berlin Launch Party went down last night! Nearly a thousand people packed Department in Berlin Germany for the event that featured live performances from Yasiin Bey (the artist formerly known as Mos Def) and Vans OTW Advocate Lupe Fiasco!

Fellow Advocates Chris Kong, Dimitri Coste and Eric Elms exhibited their art throughout the venue for party goers to enjoy and Spring 2012 product was on full display for the public as well!

Yasiin Bey and Fiasco dished out a few classic tracks along with some new material while Kong showcased his vinyl sculptures, Coste displayed his photography and customized racing bike, and Elms presented a new art installation for the show. Relive the night and get a recap of the night after the jump!
Read more »

Labels: 2012, Berlin, Berlin Launch Party, chris kong, dimitri coste, eric elms, lupe fiasco, vans otw advocates, vans otw collection, yasiin bey

Gearing Up for the Vans OTW 2012 Kick Off!!

The stage is set! We're launching the 2012 season of the Vans OTW Collection tonight with performances by Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def), Patta Sound System and Vans OTW Advocate Lupe Fiasco! Didn't get a wristband or not in the Berlin area? Catch it all TONIGHT as we stream live from Department at 11:45PM CET/2:45PM PST/5:45PM EST at Stickam.com/Vans1966.

Labels: 2012, Berlin, lupe fiasco, mos def, OTW Launch Party, patta sound system, stickam, Vans Otw, vans otw advocates, vans otw collection, web stream, yasiin bey

Friday, February 3, 2012

Via SNAV: A Trip Abroad Pt. II

Lupe Fiasco Set to Perform at Rolling Stone's Bacardi Bash

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Via SNAV: A Trip Abroad Pt. I

Stainless Steel and Marble Sculptures by UNMASK

Throwback Thursday: "Daydreamin'" - Lupe Fiasco f/ Jill scott

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

JR: The Wrinkles of the City, Los Angeles

The Making of "Angels & Stars" - Eric Turner f/ Lupe Fiasco & Tinie Tempah

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Garage Works x Ron English x Slash Sculpture

Tim Doyle's "Unreal Estate" Illustrations

Monday, January 30, 2012

Shop Stop: Vans Butcher's Block Berlin

Friday, January 27, 2012