BOOK: Vans Book (published 6/09)
AUTHOR: Doug Palladini
FUN FACT: Vans has been holding it down for over 40 years and started making special customizaions in the early days of the company (when iD was still something that Freud talked about). Shoppers could bring their favorite fabric by the factory, and the Van Dorens would put together a pair of shoes for them that week. You can design your own Vans through the company site today.
WHY COMPLEX IS CO-SIGNING IT: While the kids are going nuts because Vans is O.G. skate, affordable, and there are about a billion colorways to choose from, this book breaks down a history of the company. History is boring, right? Author/curator Doug Palladini pre-empts your study hall whining by giving you the tales from the super heroes’ mouths. Chapters with skaters Tony Alva, Steve Caballero and John Cardiel; surfer Joel Tudor; music legends’ tales from the Warped Tour; and a photo essay on Frenchman Dimitri Coste’s crazy collection each show a facet of the company that you wouldn’t know otherwise. When it comes to reading we need a lot of pictures to look at, and this does the trick with 208 pages that include photographs by champions of the lens CR Stecyk, R. Grant Brittain, Art Brewer, and Trevor Graves.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PREVIEWS OF THE BOOK & BUY IT!
Even if the only deck you’ll be on this summer is in the back of your friends house, a nice pair of boat shoes should find their way into your wardrobe sooner than later. Yep, we’re still co-signing the boat shoe. If you’ve been paying attention, you’d have noticed a bunch of designers dropping their own renditions of the classic silhouette that up until a couple years ago was known solely as the footwear of the prep set.
From the OG Sperry Top-Sider to the more casual stylings of Vans and Band of Outsiders, Complex picked out the 10 Best Boat Shoes of the season. Just because you won’t be on a yacht this summer, doesn’t mean you can’t act as if. Word to Boiler Room.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
While everyone’s rocking cuffed denim with Authentics’ go left by copping these Old Skool 77s. Gold/black always makes for a solid combo, and if you’re looking for a new pair of Vans for summer but don’t want to wear what everyone else is, these sleepers are the move. The best part? They’re only $50 so they won’t cut into your beer fund too much. Win/Win. Check Vans retailers July 1.
www.vans.com
We knew Dustin Dollin’s signature shoe was sick, but truthfully we really weren’t sure how well it performed. Luckily, for our June/July issue we tapped Jahmal Williams of HOPPS Skateboards to give the sneakers a test run, and here’s what the Complex expert had to say:
Dustin Dollin’s new shoe is essentially an adidas Campus: super simple and clean. For a low-top these shoes have really good padding and ankle support.
Williams also said the No Skool Tre is a good go-to for skaters looking for superior board feel, and impact absorption. If you’re looking to cop, check Vans skate retailers next month to cop.
$70, www.skate.vans.com
Vans is keeping the hippie’s happy with its new surf sneakers, the 106SF. Besides being the ideal post-surf session footwear, the sneaker is constructed with much less waste than most models, by using a natural hemp upper and eco-friendly bamboo lining that absorbs moisture when you’re rocking them without socks after hitting the beach. To see all the color ways available head over to Vans.com and to purchase the red make-up, hit up Tactics.
$59.95, www.vans.com, www.tactics.com
The Vans book is on sale, check it out. [Vans]
Nike Air Force 1 Jones Beach. Come on Nike, are you fucking with us? This is amazing. [Sneaker News]
BKRW interviews graffiti artist ANDRE. Ohhhh French people. [BKRW]
Hahahaha. Check out Big-O from Swagger’s birthday cake. Amazing. [Honeyee/Mademoiselle Yulia]
10Deep’s new Summer collection and lookbook is dope. [10Deep]
The Senix LV Scre Green Pack by etnies is awesome. [Sneaker News]
The Puma Cat 2s are one of the brand’s best silos. Great that its coming back around. [Kix and the City]
Vans Workwear? News to us, but it looks dope. [Hypebeast]
Urban Outfitters and Dim Mak are launching a new collection. At first thought this one gets a TUIMM (throwing up in my mouth), but they’re going to sell the crap out of this crap, so good for them. Non-ironic/ironic Shutter shades for everyone! [High Snobiety]
Example #4billion why your brother-in-law who is an “advertising creative” can suck it. [The World's Best Ever]
Banksy’s new show is popping off in Bristol. That’s in England, and this theme seems to be “shit”. Stay tuned. [Bansky]
Printed Wikipedia. LOL Cats are ROTFLing. [PSFK]
Robert Crumb’s illustrated version of the book of Genesis is ready for pre-order. Chances of seeing Eve doing something not-so-religious? 150% [Amazon]
It’s no Gypsy cab racket, but Raekwon the Chef is slinging cars. [Mash Kulture]
NAME: Louie
AGE: 26
OCCUPATION: Teacher
HOME BASE: San Francisco
HAT: Thrift store
SUNGLASSES: Marc by Marc Jacobs
NECKLACE: Thrift store
SHIRT: Mervyns
JEANS: Levi’s
SNEAKERS: Vans
WATCH: Casio
BACKPACK: Jansport
What inspires your style? The seasons.
What city has the best style? New York City!!!
What movie best captures your style? Superbad. I dress to party!
Who has wack style? Prudes. No sense of adventure.
Vote on whether this week’s subject is “Stylin” or “Wildin” below…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
Mastodon are getting their own Vans. Not because they have a clever website, it’s because they are fucking awesome. [Pitchfork]
If you’re in the NY area this weekend, and are a comic nerd, go check out the MOCCA Art Festival. [The World's Best Ever]
The HF Footscape Wovens hit 21 Mercer on June 13th. [High Snobiety]
Ah, so this is what the moon looks like. Thanks Japan! [Gizmodo]
The New York Times does a fairly awesome job of profiling A.R.C. manager Jesse Villanueva. [NY Times]
Freshjive makes the best T-Shirts in the game. [Mash Kulture]
We’ve always loved Authentics because it’s the type of sneaker you’re not afraid to beat up during summer months. Besides them coming in all colors, it’s not going to hurt your pockets when it’s time to re-up.
That said, some are more high-brow than others, which takes us to this perforated black/blue colorway off Vans’ more exclusive Vault line. Think of these when it’s time to compliment the chinos, not the ripped skinny jeans. Check VV retailers right now.
$70, vault.vans.com
