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November 5, 2021
Action sports brand and advocate for creative expression, Vans, has teamed up with Beyond Sport Global Award winners, Skateistan, on a new mission-driven collection of footwear and apparel highlighting community unity, self-expression and creativity to support the development of skateboarding.
Skateistan was founded in Afghanistan in 2007 to empower youth through skateboarding and arts-based education. Since then, it has expanded with projects across Cambodia, South Africa, Jordan, Bolivia and Kenya. The nonprofit focuses on groups who are often excluded from sports and educational opportunities, especially girls, children living with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds. It provides safe spaces where children can have fun, build their skills and confidence and break down social barriers by making new friends.
With the shared belief that skateboarding has the power to create a better world, the new Vans x Skateistan collection drew inspiration from Skateistan’s skate school students to create original and inspiring takes on the Skate Sk8-Hi, Skate Era, Skate Slip-On and a head-to-toe apparel collection for men, women and kids. The collection features Skateistan’s logo and will be available starting November 11.
Skateboarding has come a long way from its grassroots origins to becoming a new Olympic sport. The sport saw a resurgence in popularity after being part of Tokyo 2020 and Sky Brown winning a bronze medal for Team GB. According to Neil Ellis, Engagement Manager at Skateboard GB, since being featured in the Olympics, skateboarding has seen a 30% increase in traffic to its website with people searching for skateboard lessons and a 200% growth in skatepark searches on the MySkate App.
Earlier in the year, Vans and Skateistan partnered on a summer-long campaign shedding light on what makes skateboarding so special – the streets, skateparks, backyard pools and communities that built skateboarding from the ground up. The ‘Where It Starts’ campaign reminded fans that skateboarding would not be where it is today without the strength of community. As part of that campaign, Vans donated an additional $200k to the Tides Foundation to support Skateistan’s youth programming.
“Unlike traditional sports where athletes are aided with scholarships and various government programs, skateboarding requires support at ground zero – within its communities. We are excited to continue being that foundation for skaters all around the world and advocating Skateistan’s mission to do so as well,” said Vans Global Senior Director of Action Sports, Bobby Gascon, on the ‘Where It Starts’ campaign.
Vans will celebrate its Vans Checkerboard Day on November 18 and in recognition will rebuild and revitalise communities across the world. This year, they are partnering with DoSomething.org, a global nonprofit whose core mission is to drive young people to take action and invite fans to participate in local and digital activations that help build vibrant, inclusive and rejuvenated public spaces through arts and culture.
Source: Vans
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