SZA, Travis Barker and Hayley Williams lead a new era of Vans’ Authentic
When you think of skate culture, it’s impossible not to place Vans within that puzzle. But perhaps place isn’t the right word. Since its beginnings in 1966 and rapid rise as a youth-culture catalyst, the Californian label has never been one to follow the crowd or ‘fit in’. Instead, it has cultivated a relentless rebellious spirit that, six decades later, continues to define the brand’s identity—fuelling the fire of those who refuse to conform or be boxed in. Today, that spirit burns brighter than ever as Vans honours the shoe that started it all: the Authentic.
Introduced in 1966, the heritage skate silhouette—defined by its low-top profile and signature rubber waffle outsole—has been the beating heart of Vans ever since. Worn by punk icons The Ramones, Dogtown legend Tony Alva, and modern-day tastemakers SZA and Olivia Rodrigo, its appeal is both universal and deeply personal. The Authentic has become a symbol of self-expression and creative freedom, carrying loud lives across stages, streets, and everyday spaces alike.
The campaign, Off The Wall, spotlights a new era of scene-shaping talent—those who embody Vans’ fearless energy and command attention wherever they go. Putting that claim to the test are multi-platinum artist SZA, alt-rock trailblazer Hayley Williams, punk rock trailblazer Travis Barker, and hardcore mainstay Franz Lyons—a dream line-up by any measure. For this campaign, however, the four trade stages and studios for the mundane: the boardroom, the waiting room, the internet café, and suburbia. Each cameo suggesting how we too might be able to live our lives with a little more rock’n’roll.
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