Vans marked an unforgettable week in Paris, blending the worlds of skateboarding, fashion, art, and music. The series of events celebrated the launch of new products and honored key figures in the skateboarding community. It all began on Tuesday, June 18, with a skate jam that paid homage to skateboarding icon, Anthony Van Engelen and his groundbreaking AVE 2.0 shoe, a revolutionary design featuring a breathable mesh base bonded to RapidWeld™ suede and synthetic TPU.

The festivities kicked off with the final chapter of the “Commitment to Progression” global gallery tour at Place De La Bastille. This event drew local skateboarding talent and celebrated the AVE 2.0’s second wave of releases. The energetic gathering included a cash-for-tricks skate session, where the next generation of Parisian skateboarders showcased their skills, embodying the relentless spirit of pushing boundaries that Anthony Van Engelen is known for. Esteemed guests such as Vans Global Ambassador Steve Van Doren, Curren Caples, Nelly Morville, Diego Todd, Willow Voges Fernandes and others added to the electric atmosphere.

Continuing the celebration, the “Atiba Jefferson: Skate Photography” exhibition opened on Wednesday, June 19, in the Marais district. This retrospective, presented by Architecture c/o Virgil Abloh™ with support from OTW by Vans, showcased 25 years of Atiba Jefferson’s influential skateboarding photography. The exhibition featured over 200 of Jefferson’s iconic images, rare video works, and behind-the-scenes ephemera. The opening night attracted a blend of art enthusiasts and skateboarding legends, including Curren Caples, Rowan Zorilla, Etienne Gagné, Efron Danzig and Elijah Berle, reflecting the deep cultural impact of Jefferson’s work.

The exhibit highlighted the creative culture within skateboarding and celebrated the legacy of Virgil Abloh. The night featured music by Benji B, drawing a lively crowd that included notable figures like Dev Hynes, Danielle Haim, and Mami Tezuka. The exhibition underscored the commitment of OTW by Vans to honor skateboarding as a cultural disruptor and a source of artistic innovation.

The week-long celebration then culminated on Friday, June 21, with the OTW by Vans Checkered Future event at Sacré-Coeur. This spectacular party fused the energy of Paris Fashion Week, Go Skateboarding Day, and Fête de la Musique. A monumental skate bowl installation, designed by OTW by Vans in partnership with PLAYLAB, INC., hosted a live skate exhibition featuring the Vans Skate Team and other global talents. The event emphasized the artistic synergy derived from skate culture.

Overlooking the city from Montmartre, the celebration continued with a checkerboard DJ platform featuring performances by renowned artists such as Kaytranada, Venus X, and a headlining DJ set by JUSTICE. The event attracted an eclectic mix of guests, including Emily Ratajkowski, Paloma Elsesser, Devyn Garcia, Jonathan Anderson, Meadow Walker, Haze Khadra, Omar Apollo, Fai Khadra, Moses Sumney, Pierce Abernathy and Bella Poarch, reflecting the diverse appeal of Vans’ brand.

Vans’ Paris takeover not only highlighted its latest products but also honored the infectious culture of skateboarding. By bringing together important figures from skateboarding, art, fashion and music, Vans reinforced its position as a pioneer in both sports and lifestyle, paving the way for future innovations and creative expressions within the community. Visit the official Vans OTW site for more information and how to purchase the new Vans AVE 2.0.