Vans is an American manufacturer of skateboarding shoes, based in Costa Mesa, California, owned by VF Corporation. The company also produces apparel and accessories such as t-shirts, hoodies, socks, hats, and backpack. When The Van Doren Rubber Company first opened their door in 1966, no one could have guessed the small Southern California store would become the giant success it is today. The Van Doren Rubber Company has since transformed from a single shoe store into the globally-recognized Vans brand. From early legendary skateboarders to the average teen, Vans have been loyally worn for over four decades. Paul Van Doren, founder of Vans, believed that to accomplish something you either have to ‘love it or leave it’ and that is exactly what he did. Van Doren shaped Vans into the thriving brand it is today without losing touch of its skateboarding roots or his passion for shoes.
A random doodle by Paul Van Doren would turn to be the signature staple of the Old Skool, originally called Style 36. Paul Van Doren called the doodle his ‘Jazz Stripe’ and it became Vans’ signature mark in 1977.
