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A Pocket Guide to Vans

Brief Description
In this illustrated guide, bestselling style writer Josh Sims explores the Vans phenomenon from the brand's overnight success, thanks to Sean Penn in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, to its status as a style staple worn by the diverse likes of Justin Bieber and Iron Maiden.... Read More
Format: Hardback
$3999
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Vans, the number 1 skater and surfer shoe first created in California in 1966, now has a 7% brand share in sneakers worldwide.

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In this illustrated guide, bestselling style writer Josh Sims explores the Vans phenomenon from the brand's overnight success, thanks to Sean Penn in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, to its status as a style staple worn by the diverse likes of Justin Bieber and Iron Maiden.

The shoes are beloved for their superior grip and endlessly customisable designs. And like skateboardingβ€”an outsider sport gone globalβ€”it has ridden many ups and downs to become a cultural icon.

Series: Pocket Guides to Fashion

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  • A Pocket Guide to Vans
    In this illustrated guide, bestselling style writer Josh Sims explores the Vans phenomenon from the brand's overnight success, thanks to Sean Penn in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, to its status as a style staple worn by the diverse likes of Justin Bieber and Iron Maiden. The shoes are beloved for their superior grip and endlessly customisable designs. And like...
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  • A Pocket Guide to Reebok
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    This guide tells the cultural and subcultural narrative of the iconic brand: from its early days as a runner's favouriteβ€”Reebok was the shoe worn by Harold 'Chariots of Fire' Abrahams when he won the 1924 Olympicsβ€”via its 80s and 90s popularity thanks to not only tennis champs but step aerobics icon, Jane Fonda, to its collabs with Jay-Z, 50 Cent,...
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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529444803

Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 25 September 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Laurence King Publishing

Illustration: approx. 90 colour illustrations

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 146.0mm

Height: 194.0mm

Weight: 380g

Pages: 160

About the Author

Josh Sims is a freelance style writer, contributing to the likes of the Financial Times, The Independent, The Independent on Sunday, Mail on Sunday, Channel 4, the BBC, Esquire, GQ, Wallpaper* and i-D. He is the author of Icons of Men's Style and Cult Streetwear for Laurence King and contributor to several fashion books from Taschen. He has extensive contacts within the style and mainstream press.

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