19 Brothers Paul Van Doren and Jim Van Doren along with partners Gordon Lee and Serge Delia open for business at 704 E. Broadway in Anaheim, Calif. on March 16. The Van Doren Rubber Company is unique in that it manufactures shoes on premises and sells them directly to the public.
On that first morning, 12 customers purchase shoes, which are made that day and ready for pick-up in the afternoon.
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VANS #44 DECK SHOES, NOW KNOWN AS THE AUTHENTIC, ARE BORN.
The name House of Vans is coined Early 70s Skateboarders who like Vans’ rugged make-up and sticky sole are seen sporting for the first time and is showcased on the windows of the Anaheim location.
EARLY
SKATEBOARDERS WHO LIKE VANS’ RUG SEEN SPORTING VANS ALL OV
1970’S
GGED MAKE-UP AND STICKY SOLE ARE VER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
197 The Vans #95, now known as the Era, with a padded collar and different color combinations, is designed by Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta and becomes the shoe of choice for a generation of skateboarders.
VANS’ “OFF THE WALL” LOGO MAKES ITS DEBUT.
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197 Vans #36, the Old Skool, debuts with the now famous Vans Sidestripe. The Old Skool is Vans’ first skate shoe that incorporated leather panels for increased durability. What started as a random doodle by Paul Van Doren was originally referred to as the “jazz stripe” and has become the unmistakable hallmark of the Vans brand
BY THE END OF THE 70S, VANS HAS 70 STORES IN CALIFORNIA AND SELLS THROUGH DEALERS BOTH NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.
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The Vans #98 is also introduced and with the help of skateboarders and BMX riders, Vans Classic Slip-Ons become the rage in Southern California and will come to be the original Slip-On silhouette that will be known as an icon for generations.
19 The Sk8-Hi was introduced in 1978 as “Style 38,” and showcased the now-iconic Vans Sidestripe on yet another innovative silhouette. As only the second model featuring the recognizable marker formerly known as the “jazz stripe,” the Sk8-Hi took skate functionality to the next levelâabove the ankle, where skateboarders used and abused their lower extremities the most. The Sk8-Hi not only shielded bones from skateboards catapulted at them but also brought a whole new look to the park.
978
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Vans Classic Slip-Ons gain appeal when they are worn Times at Rid
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n international attention and by Sean Penn in the film Fast dgemont High.
1984
Vans files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Although the core Vans shoes are selling well, the wide range of
products that Vans offers have drained company resources and Vans is not able to overcome debt Courts approve re-organization plan as Paul Van Doren returns as President; Paul tells all employees that they may not get a raise for three years and they will need to cut back on everything but the quality of Vans shoes.
1987
IN THREE YEARS, VANS HAS PAID BACK ALL CREDITORS 100 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR AND IN DECEMBER, VANS RE-EMERGES FROM THE $12 MILLION DEBT AND CHAPTER 11.
198
The Vans Steve Caballero, the first signatur duces weather resistant materials to footwea time
199
VANS MAKES INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERI DAQ STOCK E
88
re skate shoe, is introduced. Vans introar labeled Mountain Edition for the first e
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ING OF STOCK AT $14 ON THE NASEXCHANGE
1993
Vans introduces the Vans Snowboard Boot in the fall ‘93 / winter ‘94 snow season
1995
Vans sponsors the Warped Tour for the first time; In 2001 Vans will buy a controlling interest in what is now the Vans Warped Tour, the longest running concert series in America.
2001
Vans assists with the production of “Dogtown and Z-Boys,” Stacy Peralta’s look at the beginnings of skateboarding and the personalities that evolved the sport. The film takes the Audience Award and Best Director Award at the Sundance Film Festival. The film is narrated by Sean Penn. Shortly after, the film will be released to the public further cementing Vans’ heritage in skateboarding.
2004 Vans launches Vans Customs at www.vans.com, allowing would be fashion designers to create their own Classic Slip-ons utilizing hundreds of different color and pattern combinations. In October, the Old Skool is added to styles available.
In June, VF Corporation completes purchase of Vans for $396 million including stock options.