‘Stories Of Sole From Vans Originals’ review
Vans is not just a brand, it's a barometer of character.
For some time now, I have found myself warming to anyone who chooses to adorn their phalanges with Off The Wall rubber and canvas-stitched shoes. It goes like this: They wear Vans? They must be kind of cool.
If this sounds a bit over-philosophical for a pair of shoes then Doug Palladini’s book, Stories of Sole From Vans Originals - which traces the history of the brand from originator Paul Van Doren’s rubbery dream to its “multifaceted role in modern youth culture” - will prove otherwise. There's something profoundly philosophical in wearing or being associated with Vans, a phenomenon that the book exposes with panache.
The book begins a little formally with explanations of the shoe’s defining features like its side stripe, Off The Wall skateboard logo, waffle sole and black-and-white checkerboard. It’s informative enough but reminds me of the kind of approach my bald history teacher with a penchant for PowerPoint would take towards documentation. When the book quickly changes spin by profiling Vans icons like Tony Alva, Joel Tudor, Geoff Rowley, Randy Rarick, John Cardiel and Steve Caballero, we are in total legend nostalgia territory.
What strikes me about this editorial tribute is the fact it manages to reach into every corner of the Vans world with sections dedicated to the Triple Crown Series, the Warped Tour, Combi Pool, snowboarding, BMX, music, movies and art. There's not a stone (in your shoe) left unturned and the book is a great, beautiful thing for that.
There are some original and pant-wettingly awesome features exclusive to the book like ‘Custom Made’ - a selection of photographs of Vans shoes that have been customised by artists the world over and ‘A Collector’s Closet’ - an expose of one of the world’s biggest personal Vans collections. My favourites from the former menagerie are a pair of slip-ons illustrated by Seth Shelman with skeleton feet that have a total Misfits vibe. In ‘A Collector’s Closet’, there's everything from basketball hi-tops to Authentics made from vintage floral tapestry.
The book has an inclusive feel to it that nods to the brand’s aesthetic as a whole. To wear Vans is to tap into 43 years of counter-culture that has placed fun, adventure, youth and creativity as its footholds. Although action sports and music heroes may seem out of reach, anyone can be synonymous with their Vans-clad feet and feel a part of something cool. There are no outsiders. This checkerboard book will leave you with the feeling:
I wear Vans, therefore I am.
Stories Of Sole From Vans Originals is published by Abrams, priced £12.99.
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