Vans takes skateboarding extravaganza to Paris

Vans is making waves in Paris this week as the iconic brand spotlights skateboarding at the forefront of global culture. The week will culminate this Friday, 21 June, with the OTW by Vans Checkered Future event at the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. This unique celebration will blend music, skateboarding, and art, featuring performances by JUSTICE and Kaytranada, alongside live skate demonstrations from international riders. Additionally, Vans is launching an exclusive collaboration with Dutch artist Piet Parra, unveiling a special edition sneaker that pays homage to Parra's skateboarding roots. By merging skateboarding with cultural and artistic expressions, Vans continues to push boundaries and inspire a new wave of creativity.

On Tuesday, the SP25 Skate Presentations and AVE 2.0 Skate Jam kicked off the festivities, showcasing Vans' latest skateboarding innovations and celebrating the career of legendary rider Anthony Van Engelen. The events took place across notable Parisian locations, emphasising the brand's commitment to inspiring future generations through progression and creativity. Yesterday, the celebration continued with the Atiba Jefferson: Skate Photography Exhibit, featuring never-before-seen works from the renowned photographer's extensive archive. This exhibit, held at 2bis rue Saint-Sauveur, honors Jefferson's nearly three decades of capturing the art of skateboarding, in collaboration with ARCH, an architecture firm and film studio founded by Virgil Abloh. The event highlights the deep cultural connections between skateboarding and visual storytelling, further cementing Vans' influence on the creative community.