Designers Create Shoes for Vans’ Custom Culture
In an effort to help raise awareness for its ninth annual Custom Culture Competition, a fund that provides help to high school arts programs, Vans has tapped Rebecca Minkoff, Cynthia Rowley, and Carol Lim and Humberto Leon of Opening Ceremony, and other influencers as 2018 Vans Custom Culture Ambassadorsand tasked them with transforming pairs of plain white Vans with custom designs.
Rowley cleverly penned the phrase “I will not skate in the house” around the soles of her shoes, while others went all out with studs, fringe, and colorful illustrations. Amirah Kassem of NYC’s Instagram-beloved Flour Shop bakery turned the shoes into a souped up cake design, while Microsoft chief financial officer Amy Hood turned hers into a dragon.
Over the years, Vans has made supporting the arts a priority, by donating almost $900,000 to arts education. This year the company specifically includes schools that have lost their arts programming due to budget cuts, and is working with artist Kindah Khalidy to encourage students to pursue careers in the arts.
