Vans have always been more about the lifestyle than just a brand/shoe. A couple of months ago I was asked to take part in this really rad campaign by Vans South Africa.
It was a no brainer really, I jumped in and these are the images:
My Original since 2001:
Growing up I spent my time skateboarding, and destroying shoes that I couldn’t really afford to destroy. ‘Back in my day’ rad shoes were hard to get hold of, and expensive, especially when you’re in school and your parents weren’t stoked on getting you a new pair every few weeks.Then I saw a video ad in an old Transworld Skateboarding tape that they used to play all day at Boogaloos – and that’s when I saw Vans. I’m sure I watched it about 187 times in December holidays 2001. I tried to find the shoes I’d seen in the video, but couldn’t get them anywhere.
So, I searched on-line and the Yellow Pages and eventually found a phone number for the Vans Warehouse down in Cape Town. One call, a vague description on an email, and a R250 bank deposit later; my first pair of Vans arrived at the Post Office.
Those shoes have still never seen a kickflip, or done anything beyond rolling on a board. I still have them now, and they’re worn and beat to hell but I’ll never get rid of them.Thanks to that rad lady I’ve been rocking Vans ever since, and it’s only getting worse.
If you’re wondering how this whole campaign came about check out the Interview with Vans marketing Manger Warren Talbot check it out here.
All photographs by Grant Payne
