Disponible exclusivement chez certains détaillants indépendants de skateboard, Vans Syndicate célèbre le patrimoine diversifié en idées en attitudes et en influences qui composent le style de vie des riders. la collection Printemps 2015 propose la contribution du rider Vans, Jason Dill.



ANDY KESSLER


Nothing beats an untimely death in securing one Legend status. Suddenly you’re larger than you ever were in real life, everyone is your tight bro from way back when, and no one speaks a negative word. Was Kess truly a legend? The godfather of skateboarding in New York City? Maybe, maybe not. Reality most likely lies somewhere in the margins. Doesn’t really matter. What matters is what he did and how he did it. These are the things I can speak to.

Kessler paid his dues. He cheated death on more than a few occasions. Coming out the other end, he made it a mission to give back. Or, when necessary, to take back. He guided many a soul through the trials of recovery from substance abuse. He raised hell at board meetings and got skate parks built in a city devoid of them. He mentored kids, and busted people’s balls. He was beloved, and despised. He knew EVERYONE. He was my friend, and miss him every damn day.

I don’t pretend to know his whole story. I’d like to think that no one does. He ran in a lot of different circles, overlapping and intersecting and binding otherwise dissimilar people together in the process. He was a skater, foremost. What else? A junkie, miscreant, hell raiser, pool shark, Zappa fan, shit talker, sponsor, goon in Guatemalan pants, surfer, brother, adopted son, angry Greek bastard, perv, sticker collector, Thrasher cover star and kite flying enthusiast.



I don’t know all his stories. But I’ve got a personal cache that I cherish, moments that come and go in my head as I wander the streets of this great city.

If there be an underlying theme to Kess’ tale, it would be one of perseverance. The myriad stories that I am privy to, from the minor ones I experienced firsthand to the ever-growing legends spun by word of mouth, are all sewn together by the common threads of survival and dedication. From minor political victories to life changing influences, his stories run the gamut.

Kess spent countless hours in board meetings fighting to get skate parks built in New York City. I’ve been to a couple of these, and they are brutal. Both mind numbingly boring and exasperatingly frustrating given the layer upon layer of red tape and bureaucratic bullshit. I can’t stomach them, but Kess would never let up. He bashed his thick skull against the wall of the Parks Department for years on end, and he got shit done. They might not be the best parks in the country, but they were progress, and the momentum he helped to create has delivered us unto spots like Chelsea Piers. It’s a damn shame he never got to ride a proper skate park in his City after all the years he spent suffering without.

The fact that he was skating at all is amazing. It wasn’t that long ago that the idea of 50 year old men still skating on a high level seemed absurd. Of course, it’s become quite common: see Tony Alva, Steve Alba, Lance Mountain, etc. Still, when your over forty and suffer a severe leg injury like a broken hip, it’s understandable if one decides he’s had enough and hangs it up. Sure, maybe he still jumps on a cruiser board to run down to the store, but only a true blue skater is coming back from that and pushing himself in the bowl as if it never happened within a year’s time. I am not going to lie, those first few sessions with Kess afterwards were worrisome. But he was as hell bent as ever, calling the crew, rallying the sesh, and I’m claiming dude cracked the best frontside air of his life post-op at Autumn. Ask Olson, he’ll tell you the same. I’ll steal a line from their pal Jocko Weyland: when was Kess gonna grow up and quit skating? The Answer was Never.

As skaters, we are often blind to the fact that the real world exists around us. We see everything through the lens of a skater, sometimes oblivious to other concerns. While Kess’ contributions to the skate scene in New York cannot be understated, it must be heralded that he managed to do a lot more important and impressive work elsewhere in the community. Andy was a recovering addict. I never knew the Kess of old; the junkie thief fuck-up. This town is littered with stories of those that kept on spinning right down the drain. Andy had every opportunity to keep using and wind up in the joint or, more likely, wake up in the gutter dead. But he didn’t. He got himself sorted out and sobered up. He was ever “clean,” he always bristled at that term. He was still a dirty old bastard, but he was sober the entire time I knew him. As impressive as that is (especially given the 24 hours of opportunity to blow it that this town presents), the real story is what he did for others. A big part of the Program is sponsorship; those who are sober lending a helping hand to others who are new to recovery, as well as those who have fallen off and are coming back. Andy always had someone he was looking out for, getting them to meetings and being a friend. I don’t pretend to know how many he helped, how many stayed true or how many he lost. But I do know that he literally died trying, with a dear friend and repeat junkie sleeping in his bed as he passed away.

Let’s not end it there. Like I said, his legacy is one of keep on keeping on, of not giving in, nor giving up. I’ll share one of my personal favorites about my guy. Kess died on the east end of Long Island, in Montauk. He’d been focusing on learning how to surf during the last few years of his life. Surfing is not easy, trust me. Skaters often make the mistake of thinking that the skills translate, that they’ll be ripping in no time at all. That’s what I thought. I was wrong. Like most anything worthwhile, it takes thousands of hours of practice to master. It is also something best learned at a young age (as I did). I give a lot of respect to people who pick it up as adults and manage a degree of competence. Kess was driven to feel as free and comfortable in the water as he did on his skate. He picked my brain about surfing’s nuances, all the little pieces that put you in the right place at the right time, like being tucked in the barrel with your buddy paddling over shoulder throwing you a shaka. (That sounds utterly ridiculous, but it’s true.) Anyway, the weekend before Kess passed there were waves. The two of us hiked down the beach to escape the crowds. The moment he started paddling out I knew he was fucked, that the current was going suck him into the rocks and he was gonna get drilled. I adjusted my entry point, and made the line up fairly easily. Meanwhile, Kess was getting his head beat in as set after set rolled over him. Each short lull he’d make some progress, only to be denied by another set wave. I couldn’t help but laugh as he screamed with frustration. After a long beat down I could see him back on the beach. The poor bastard had given up, and now had to sit and watch. But next thing I knew Andy Kessler came paddling up to me with a big “FUCK YOU, FARMER!” He told me there was no way that he was gonna sit there a watch me surf my brains out without him. I was so happy for him, proud even. He had every reason to give up; the waves were borderline beyond his ability, he had the wrong board and he was old and tired. But he made it out and scored some great waves. He might still be a barney in many eyes, but as far as I was concerned, he was a surfer at last.

I fancy myself a New Yorker nowadays, and part of that claim comes by way of Andy Kessler. He was the first true New Yorker to embrace me, take me under his wing and show me the City in different lights. From swerving down the avenues through rush hour traffic, to quiet bites at Sidewalk talking story, the New York that I know and love was shaped through Kess’ eyes. Thanks for the aloha, pal. I hope I see you on the other side.






029.170 / ANDY KESSLER

STYLE: SK8-HI Reissue NYC “S”
COLOR: (ANDY KESSLER) BLACK




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LUKE MEIER


Vans talks with Luke Meier.

Sorry for the delay with this ... Life has been a bit intense lately ... Good, but intense!

Also, I'm sending you some photos that I took of St. Peter's in Rome around the time I was working on the Zero Lo's ... I was spending a lot of time in Europe then, visiting a lot of interesting and impressive places.  The first thing I thought when I went inside St. Peter's was: I wondered if anyone had ever skated there ... I mean, they wouldn't skate in there, but even pushed along the marble around the church ... It's slippery, but a flat, smooth surface always makes me wonder about whether someone had skated there ...

Probably seeing all of these kinds of places inspired the 'Destroy Luxury' idea.  Europe is interesting because you have so many old, beautiful structures, but if you want to skate you have to kind of wreck it.  But in a way, it's ok, and is representative of the way civilizations work; old gets destroyed and new gets built.  Plus, you have to be able to skate somewhere in European cities!

Let me know if what I sent is ok ... And thanks again for reaching out ... I'm proud to have worked on a project with Syndicate, Vans, and particularly the people who are/were involved



This year marks the 10th year anniversary of Syndicate.  We are bringing back some of favorite shoes and collaborations.  Is the anniversary model a color you wanted to make before?  What was the process behind the updated version?
It's actually a color I never really imagined, but when the guys approached me with the idea I thought it was fresh.  The updated version was mostly put together by the Syndicate guys.  I had some input, but it's really been their initiative. 

Was designing the Vans Syndicate shoe a new experience for you at the time?  Tell me a little bit about your background at Supreme as well as school and how that informed this shoe.
It was a new experience because while I'd worked with Vans (through Supreme) for a long time, this was the first shoe that was a completely new style that I was able to make.  I started designing for Supreme in 1999, and working with James (Jebbia) and all the talented people there definitely helped to shape my approach to making things.

You designed the shoe from scratch or based on an existing model?
The upper of the shoe was designed from scratch, but we used a classic Vans vulc outsole.





Most of the time when people do shoes for Vans they are color-ways or slightly altered versions of their classics.  Do you like the classics?  Did you ever wear any of them growing up?
I grew up with Vans, and have had most of their classic models at one time or another.  I got my first pair when I was about 8 or 9 years old.  Freshest kid in school that day ... black and white checkerboard slip ons.  I have always had at least one pair of Eras or Authentics ever since.

What were the styles that inspired the shoe you designed?  Did you want something skateable or more fashionable.
Because the idea was 'Destroy Luxury', I wanted to make a skate shoe of luxurious materials that was supposed to be shredded.  Even more, I wanted people who skate to really like the shoe for skating; style is the bonus.  Many different people have told me that they like to skate in the shoe, so I think it was successful in that regard.  There wasn't a particular style that inspired the shoe, it was more an approach of how can I make a shoe with Vans DNA look a bit more 'luxurious'.

Is the piece on the side for ollie protection?
Yeah.  It's the spot on a skate shoe that gets the most abuse, so I put the most luxurious material there ... to be destroyed.

Was it cool to imagine people skating in the shoes?
It's the main reason I wanted to make them.  Vans and skateboarding can't really be separated in my mind.  Skateboarding has had such a profound effect on me, and Vans is part of that.  For that reason I will always revere the brand.






029.170 / LUKE MEIER

STYLE: SEYLYNN “S”
COLOR: WHITE




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Comment vous êtes vous impliqué avec Vans Syndicate? À travers mon ami Berto suprême de l'époque. Il a toujours cru en mon art et a été une inspiration pour moi dans le jeu du "streetwear". C'était son idée de faire la chaussure de Syndicate et de travailler avec Vans.

Avez-vous toujours porté des Vans en grandissant? J'ai grandi dans le quartier du port de Los Angeles - skate et surf était toujours à proximité. J'ai acheté ma première paire de Vans dans un magasin sur le boul Torrance. Je me souviens au secondaire, nous écrivions notre nom sur le côté du caoutchouc blanc.

Quelle est la signification derrière le clown? Le clown représente de bons et de mauvais moments; nous utilisons le mot "clown" dans notre vocabulaire pour décrire quelque chose malades.

Vous avez conçu une chaussure OTW, un slip-on , et une chaussure Vans, Simpsons. Comment étaient ces projets différents? Le Syndicat a une image hardcore, streetwear, vieille école. Les Simpson célébraient l'évolution de cette l'animation. Pour l' OTW je pouvais exprimer mes racines graffiti et mes expériences de voyages.
Est-ce que c'est cool de penser aux gens qui skate dans ces chaussures ? Oui ça l'est. Souvent, les gens ne portent pas de mes chaussures - ils les gardent dans la boîte comme un objet de collection.





029.170 / MISTER CARTOON

STYLE: AUTHENTIC “S”
MATÉRIAUX: DENIM/PRINTED CANVAS
COULEUR: (MISTER CARTOON) BLACK/GOLD




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Harmony Korine


Tristan Modena de Vans discute de son premier board et des gens qui l'inspire.

J'ai grandi à skater avec Harmony à Nashville, TN dans les années 90' . Nous sommes allés à la même école secondaire; Hillsboro Green Hills. Je étais quelques années plus jeune que la plupart des gars. Je déduis que c'était par ce quw j'avais une grande soeur et qu'ils avaient peur d'elle! Peu de temps après son diplôme de Hillsboro, il a déménagé à New York.


CHECKERBOARD
par Harmony Korine
Harmony a été l'une des personnes qui m'a initié à l'art ans ma vie. Pour voir un film de Woody Allen ou une projection de My Own Private Idaho (1991), ou encore aller voir KRS-1 parler à l'Université Vanderbilt. À ce moment-là, j'étais complètement captivé par le skate et ceux qui en faisaient, ce qui n'a pas changé à ce jour.



UNTITLED
par Harmony Korine


You look good, you been working out?
Yeah, 15 hours a day.

Where are you from? Where do you live now?
I’m from Nashville. I still live in Nashville.

What are you currently working on?
I’ve been painting a bunch lately. I’m also finishing up a script now for the next movie.

When did you start skateboarding?
When I was 12. I bought a pink Nash Executioner.

When did you know you wanted to write movies?
I just wanted to make my own movies. I didn’t want to have to wait for anyone else. I wrote movies out of necessity.

What is the movie/project you are most proud of?
I can’t separate them. They’re all trill.

Who has had the most influence on you as a writer/artist?
This cripple dude I grew up with named Samson who used to sketch zoo animals with a crayon that was duct-taped to his big toe.

How/when did you first meet Gonz?
Washington Square Park in the early ’90s, skateboarding with a suitcase and cigar.



UNTITLED
by Harmony Korine

What is your favorite movie/s?
Porky’s.

Who is your favorite artist/s?
Purvis Young. Tommy Wright III. Lord Infamous.

Who is your favorite actor/s?
David Hasslecock.

Is there any significance to your daughter’s name?
Her name is Lefty cause she was born a righty.

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment?
It’s all a miracle.

Who do you look up to?
Gucci Mane.

Tell me about your relationship with Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
We used to hang out. He was amazing. I once saw him have a conversation with a telephone pole.

What’s the grimiest thing you’ve ever done?
Fondled a bum’s foot.




UNTITLED
Mixed media by Harmony Korine





028.170 / HARMONY KORINE

This season Vans Syndicate collaborates with auteur, provocateur and skater Harmony Korine. Harmony gained fame as the teenage writer of the controversial HIV-era cult classic film Kids that was set among the burgeoning mid-’90s New York skate scene in which he was immersed at the time. Harmony continues to write, direct and produce a growing body of influential films, books and works of fine art. Harmony created the custom checkerboard print pattern and his artwork is featured in the footbeds on his Authentic Pro “S” and Slip-on Pro “S” styles in canvas and suede.

STYLE: SLIP-ON PRO “S”
MATÉRIAUX: SUEDE/PRINTED CANVAS
COULEUR: (HARMONY KORINE) WHITE


STYLE: AUTHENTIC PRO “S”
MATÉRIAUX: SUEDE/PRINTED CANVAS
COULEUR: (HARMONY KORINE) WHITE




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  • Jason Dill



028.169 / JASON DILL

Le Vans pro de Jason Dill de retour dans la collection syndicate cette saison avec dessins à la plume originaux sur toile naturelle Vans de style classique.

STYLE: OG AUTHENTIC “S”
MATÉRIAUX: PRINTED CANVAS
COULEUR: (DILL) NATURAL/WHITE




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