VANS SLIP-ON
THE HISTORY OF THE VANS SLIP-ON
Introduced in 1974 under the name "style 98", the VANS Slip-On sneaker and its inimitable silhouette quickly became the reference for skateboarders, combining a simple, all-purpose style with resistance to the assaults of grip.
An unprecedentedinnovation in the history of VANS shoes, the Slip-On has no laces.
In 1982, the famous pair of shoes found fame in the movie" Fast Times atRidgemont High" , a feature film by Amy Heckerling that revealed Sean Penn. California youth culture and VANS Slip-On became a worldwide phenomenon thanks to the character of Jeff: a surfer/stoner in search of adrenaline. Overnight, the checkerboard pattern became a distinctive sign recognizable among all.
Simple in appearance, the structure of the pair is highly sought after, with 18 individually stitched and glued pieces, the design of the pair has been little changed since its inception. Its upper, reinforced heel and sole are the centerpieces of the pair of sneakers. On the design side, VANS designers were inspired by the famous boat shoes.
In 2021, Netflix released the phenomenon series Squid Game, a Korean series where the actors all wear a pair of white Slip-On. Result: The sales of Vans Slip-On have increased by 7,800%!
Since then, the VANS Slip-On has become a must-have for skateboarders, but also a stylish pair of shoes thanks to its highly recognizable look.
FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH
In 1982, Sean Penn was just cast in the film Fast Times at Ridgemont High when he was only 21 years old. He wears VANS Slip-on in checkerboard and refuses to leave them for the shooting. The director Amy Heckerling agrees that he wears them on screen.
It is then the revelation of the Slip-On and the pair will become cult. The production even calls Vans to ask him to send more models on the set!
Vans will go so far as to create the first limited edition "Fast Times" Slip-On that it distributed at the premiere of the film. In 2019, releases a commemorative piece with a new design: a thicker sole that bears the name of the film as well as a nod to Sean Penn.
OUR SELECTION
