Photos: House of Vans opens Chicago location
Vans, a brand that prides itself in music, and street culture, opened it’s door for it’s House of Vans Chicago.
The opening night featured performances from Future Islands, Digable Planets, and Chicago’s own rising star, Noname.
House of Vans Chicago also showcased photography exhibits from photographers Jonathan Mehring, Ryan Kobane, and Ashley Osborn.
Opening night featured an immerse theme of Vans signature skating and alternative rock photography work from past Vans events. The intimacy between guests was well received from the huge warehouse store turned indoor skating park, store, and music venue.
Chicago’s Noname opened the night with a headlining caliber performance. The perfect setting setter, Noname’s “Telefone” had the House of Vans guests uplifted. The Chicago hip-hop rapper and poet, could have performed the whole night without any objection. Nomane kicking off her Telefone Tour, already sold out every single stop across the U.S.
Alternative hip-hop trio Digable Planets, brought their bold Brooklyn flow to Chicago’s west side. The trip has been around for some time, the trio put no time to waste put on a rhythmic race of funky beats and spell bounding lyrics. True experts Digable Planets, made sure the House Of Vans Chicago got their dose of a old school hip-hop. Preforming classics like “Where I’m From” and “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) House of Vans Chicago were given a throwback of 90’s hip-hop treat.
House of Vans Chicago ended the night with Baltimore band Future Islands. A true showman, front man Samuel T. Herring had the crowd in a frenzy with his intense performance.
Future Islands previewed tracks from their new album “The Far Field”, the heavy spirt or prowling and growling of Herring made Future Islands performance not one to miss.
House of Vans Chicago has stated they will be free and open to the public.
Noname | Digable Planets | Future Island
[Video] Photographer Mel D Cole for Vans OTW Perspectives
For the latest episode of Vans OTW Perspectives, the web series which films creatives to give their perspective of a particular art form, the team recently caught up with photographer Mel D. Cole. The New York photographer gives us insight to his early photography days and his likes and dislikes of shooting. He also shares how he feels that some aspiring photographers are not doing what they are supposed to in the industry and offers his advice. Check out the video and see what Mel D. Cole has to say about his profession of photography.
[Via OTW TV]
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Vans x Santigold
Santigold has teamed up with Vans for a limited edition shoe. It will drop in February. See the official release below.
"With her eclectic sound, incredible sense of style and love for Vans, it was too good to be true when Vans and Santigold joined forces for a special February 2011 shoe release. Santigold teamed up with Vans designers to create a shoe of her very own. Working with the new Tosha Hi silhouette and Santi’s personal design aesthetic, the limited Vans x Santigold collaboration features premium perforated full grain leather, faux gold chain accents. The look becomes complete with a custom SG gold pin created with the trained eye of jewelery designer Jules Kim of Bijules."