Vans Celebrates NYC Skateboarding Community with “Off the Wall” Family Reunion
In true New York City fashion, Vans pulled out all the stops to celebrate its deep roots in the local skateboarding scene. The iconic brand brought together its “Off the Wall” family for a series of immersive experiences, paying tribute to its legendary skate legacy. The festivities kicked off with a revival event for the beloved Lower East Side bar landmark, Max Fish, on September 4. The surprise reunion performance from TV On The Radio set the tone for an epic week of celebrations.
But Vans didn’t stop there. In the midst of New York Fashion Week, the brand hosted a block party in Bushwick, showcasing the best of NYC skateboarding. The event featured pop-ups, skate lessons with KCDC and Sk8 Babes, food trucks, and a late-night rave. Vans also took over Skate Space 198, a community-focused cultural hub rooted in skateboarding, on September 7 from 3 pm to 1 am. The all-day party brought together the movers and shakers of the brand’s core community, including labels, shops, skaters, and creatives who embody the spirit of “Always Pushing.”
The day was jam-packed with activities, including open skate sessions and a skate jam competition with cash-for-tricks and gift card giveaways from KCDC, Labor, and Tenant. Off the ramp, Vans also hosted an “Off the Wall” market, featuring some of its family members like LQQK Studio, Quartersnacks, PunkandYo, Homerun, Star Team, EC Melodi, FTI, Nayfandwavey, and more. Notable attendees included Vans’ closest collaborators, skateboarders, and friends like Beatrice Domond, Ben Kadow, Shiloh Catori, Curren Caples, Zion Wright, and many others.
The all-day celebration was fueled by the tunes of King Marie, LQQK Studio, and Ben Kadow, but things really heated up at night with a skate rave. The rave featured ghettotech from Detroit’s HiTech and NYC’s Jubilee, creating the perfect atmosphere for skating and dancing.
Throughout the week’s events, the Vans Old Skool, the shoe that sparked a cultural movement and continues to transcend both skateboarding and fashion, was a constant presence. From an exclusive colorway with Satoshi Nakamoto to a customized Old Skool in the SC103 runway show, a sneak peek of the upcoming Punk & Yo collaborative Old Skool, and gifting to the skate community with the Skate Old Skool, the iconic sneaker proved its enduring appeal and ability to bring together diverse communities. As Vans continues to push boundaries and unite people through skateboarding, the Old Skool will always remain a cornerstone of the brand.
