Vans, the original skateboarding footwear brand and icon of creative exploration, is proud to announce the latest collection with historically influential skate brand Alva Skates and longtime Vans team rider Tony Alva. The collection draws inspiration from Tony’s imaginative world of creative exploration that spans art, music and beyond, and invites fans and newcomers alike into his creative journey, on and off the board, over the past 40 years.
Breaking the mold for what a skateboarding company could be, Tony Alva walked away from his board sponsor in 1977 to create one of the most influential skate brands of his time, Alva Skates, just after helping Vans develop the first-ever skateboarding shoe, the Era. Synonymous ever since, Vans and Tony teamed up to create a new collection that nods to both brands’ roots and looks ahead to future generations with help from artist DJ Javier, Vans team rider Bella Kenworthy, and musician KennyHoopla.
Leading the way, the Authentic 44 DX Alva Skates in Brown/Pink features a leopard-printed suede that pays homage to the original Alva Skateboards from the ‘70s. The design introduces the oversized, visually distorted Alva logo that goes out of bounds— a direct reference to how the logo was executed on Alva boards in the 1970s.
Image 1: SP23 Alva Skates Kenny hoopla
Image 2: SP23 Alva Skates DJ Javier
Moving into the next decade, the collection features the Authentic 44 DX Alva Skates in Halo Multi as a reference to the halo effect on ‘80s boards, and created a digi print on canvas that mirrors the speed/gradient effect. Influenced by present day and the spiritual center that Alva has found, the Authentic 44 DX Alva Skates in Navy combines a quilted canvas upper with a white lotus print, and calm, earthy colors.
The collection is rounded out with the Alva Skates crew fleece, OTW short sleeve tee, and a loose tapered cargo pant and bucket hat in grapeleaf adorned with Alva Skates and Vans pins.
Image 1: SP23 Alva Skates Collection Image 2: Authentic 44DX Alva LineUp
The Alva Skates collection is available at Vans retail locations and shop here at Vans.co.za.
Vans, “Off the Wall” Since ’66
vans.co.za
facebook.com/VansSouthAfrica/
Instagram.com/vans_za
youtube.com/vans
Follow Vans on Spotify Here!
Image: SP23 Alva Skates Tony Alva
Published: 8 February 2023
