Mr No Debutante skates, he loves it, he watches skate videos when he can't go out and skate and when he's not doing that he is on skate forums, often slagging off the fake skate fashion trends, especially since the skate giant Supreme sold out to the masses, there has been a lot to slag off.
Anything can start off a fake skate hate thread, it can be a fashion model pretending to 'skate', models hanging out in skate parks for a photoshoot (I am guilty of this one myself), obvious rip offs of respected skate labels logos on fashion items and try hard skate decks created by fashion designers to give themselves a street edge, emblazoned with fashion logos (usually with the trucks attached incorrectly) and of course the collaboration of high fashion with a skate label.
The latest Vans collaboration hasn't gone un-noticed by the (real) skate community with comments like 'It's overpriced garbage! Is he (Karl Lagerfield) trying to reach out to a younger audience and do they know or care who he is?' and 'It's supporting the death of core skateboarding, we need to get the sell outs out of skateboarding' and quite simply a Vans obituary reading 'Vans 1966 - 2017, Used to be for skaters, died being just for c**ts'.
Hell my own husband had to email me the link to tell me about the collaboration, not because No Debutante loves fashion you understand but to tell me that the skate community are pissed.
I completely understand why the skaters get pissed off by this and for the past few years I have become obsessed myself, sending skate hubby fake skate fashion images when I come across them, but I am also a fashion lover so I feel the need to review this latest collection, as a fashion writer and not as a skaters moll.
This is the official description, of said collection, 'A Parisian-chic twist to Vans' timeless classics' written by Vans (ahem.. more likely Karl) it is laughable to say the least! I can see how it may wind a skater or two up the wrong way. Why does a skate label need some added Parisian-chic?
Let's make things clear, looking at the Vans X Karl Lagerfield collab, it's a fashion collection and has jack to do with skating, you cannot skate in those platform creeper soled Vans, not only will you look ridiculous but they'd be ripped to shreds in seconds, by the grip tape as you attempt ollies and kickflips in those quilted, platformed beauties, that's if you don't break your neck first....proper gnarly? I think not.
The collection, as a whole, is basic and simple but has a few appealing features, as a none skater I do like a pair of platform trainers and the monochrome checkerboard print is very on-trend as well as being a Vans classic. The hoodie and tees are pretty standard and the zip up bomber has a similar style to a retro style Adidas jacket, it is all OK, a design masterpiece it is not, but it's OK. The platform shoes are my favorite pieces, but I don't think I will be splashing out the £125 for the privilege.
If only Vans could just admit to the sell out and agree that this is just a fashion collection, then I might be able to understand it but, hilariously, they are still trying to sell it as a skate collection, insisting that their signature rubber waffle outsoles (even on their platform shoes) will offer you a firmer grip....a firmer grip from what? Falling off the catwalk?
Skaters 1 Vans 0
Photographs courtesy of www.vans.co.uk
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ND xx
