Thrasher Magazine

Vans celebrates a half century of skate shoe excellence with the first stop of a worldwide tour – NYC. You guys party?

We flew in. They accidentally gave Dave the penthouse. 

Not that we minded much. 

Like a couple of sleeping babes. Night night. 

Next morning, awash in classy urbanity. 

Cody Green – king of the jungle

Oh, hey Gil …

Out front, Jamie got the rental upgrade.

Can't keep Rowan away from that Puleo shit. When in Rome, I guess. 

Now that's a look. 

Pushing through city the streets, just like in all the look books!

She knows what I'm talking about. 


Meet 'n' greet at KCDC. 

Nice to be back. 

Pretty heavy lineup out here. 

Grossman marks wood. 

'Nah bro, I never had the holes, but I had hair extensions out to here!'

Baker, baker!

'C'mon, really?' 

Makes my heart proud. 

Crockett, in the cuts. 

Meeting of the fashion-forward minds. I'd love to know what pants those two are scheming on.

Hosoi, Fletcher, HEAVY. 

Lil' Mothra for your wall. 

Like getting Abraham Lincoln to sign your shit. This is a special time we're in. 

Vans made custom boards with special autograph slots for the legends. 

Posse shot. Wouldn't be the last. 

Fifty percent eye contact! I'll take it!

New gen, already busting. 


Air talk. 

Wait. Does this mean the ban is lifted???

Later, at the House of Vans. 

Nas parking lot. Stretched down the block.

Good looking young people, everywhere. 

End of the line. 

Don't worry. Ya'll'll get in. 

'Can I take your photo?'

Better hydrate!

He had me shoot one more to show his shoes. 

The ladies. The ladies. 

Nice!

These guys had some beverage subterfuge going. 

I think I cracked the code!

Now here's some Nas excitement!

That's more like it!

Getting chilly. Storms a brewin. 

On trend!

Yes!

Bring a date, if you got one. 

Finally back up front, Kathy and Todd runnin' tings. 

Staking out the VIP line. 

Then it started to pour. Felt sorry for all those people in line. Then again, nobody said hip-hop was gonna be easy. 

I was in!

The Big Cheese, always on grill duty.

The VIP zone, which I would never leave again. 

I feel like I've seen this pose before. 

Ah yes, from the tub. 

A trip down Vans memory lane. Trip out on how high the original Cabs were. 

Those Carabeth 2's tho …

Levels of comfort and padding never to return. RIP. 

This is me fuckin' up someone's group shot. 

Heavy roster, gotta admit. 

Jamie's definitely got his work cut out for him. 

SOTY sighting!

Grosso, the meatball in a Serra-wich.

While Rachel gets the Fredrickson squeeze. 

Rizzo, Grosso, awesome. 

Ferguson bros, holding it down for Oz. 

Masterlensman Ryan Lovell had his talented hands full. 

Though not always in ways he might prefer. 

That's more like it!

For some reason I doubt they do this when Atiba points the camera at them. 

Old Guy's Rule!

Frank, Gil and a startlingly modest dinner. 

Lucky-ass jacket. 

Guess which guy is the pro surfer. 

The Cranstons, night on the town. 

How sweet it is!

Cody and Omar are going there. 

You can either join them or die!!!

Yeasayer, rocking' steady. Jordy shot all the stage photos!

And then …. Nas!

Crowd, totally wild. 



Gotta be the shoes. 

This whole thing was to celebrate 50 years of Vans, you know of course. 

Is that a cake?

Ask a stupid question …

Who doesn't like cake?



Hosoi, selfie game unrivaled. 

Pretty awesome when you think about it. 


Thanks for everything Vans! 

Fifty more will be here before we know it.