VANS

The brand was founded in 1966 by Paul Van Doren and his family, with the aim of offering comfortable, inexpensive sneakers. This was the birth of the #44 sneaker, later renamed the Authentic. In tune with California's youth, the brand generated an unprecedented following among the growing skateboarding community. It improved the durability of its materials and patented its "waffle" sole with its multiple striations, while launching new models: the Era, then the Old Skool, the laceless Slip On, and the Sk8-HI; which, along with the Authentic, remain the brand's five iconic models today. True to its origins, Vans continues to promote extreme sports and the associated lifestyle by supporting athletes, musicians and artists around the world. Endorsed by the fashion world as evidenced by its many successful collaborations (Kenzo, Supreme, and Marc Jacobs to name a few), the brand has democratized to become a fixture in sneaker culture.