Vans Takes Over Paris: A Week of Skateboarding, Fashion, Art, and Music

Vans hosted an unforgettable week in Paris, blending skateboarding, fashion, art, and music. The events celebrated new product launches and honored key figures in the skateboarding community.

The festivities began on Tuesday, June 18, with a skate jam dedicated to skateboarding legend Anthony Van Engelen and his revolutionary AVE 2.0 shoe. The “Commitment to Progression” global gallery tour at Place De La Bastille attracted local skateboarders and featured a cash-for-tricks skate session. Esteemed guests included Vans Global Ambassador Steve Van Doren, Curren Caples, Nelly Morville, Diego Todd, and Willow Voges Fernandes.

On Wednesday, June 19, the “Atiba Jefferson: Skate Photography” exhibition opened in the Marais district. Presented by Architecture c/o Virgil Abloh™ with support from OTW by Vans, the retrospective showcased 25 years of Jefferson’s influential photography. The opening night drew art enthusiasts and skateboarding legends, with music by Benji B and notable attendees like Dev Hynes, Danielle Haim, and Mami Tezuka. The exhibit highlighted skateboarding's creative culture and celebrated Virgil Abloh’s legacy.

The week culminated on Friday, June 21, with the OTW by Vans Checkered Future event at Sacré-Coeur. This event combined Paris Fashion Week, Go Skateboarding Day, and Fête de la Musique, featuring a monumental skate bowl and live skate exhibition. The celebration continued with performances by Kaytranada, Venus X, and JUSTICE, attracting guests like Emily Ratajkowski, Paloma Elsesser, Devyn Garcia, and Bella Poarch.

Vans’ Paris takeover highlighted its latest products and honored skateboarding culture, reinforcing its position as a pioneer in sports and lifestyle. Visit the official Vans OTW site for more information and to purchase the new Vans AVE 2.0.