Vans shoes still faves of skaters
Paul Van Doren, who has died aged 90, was the cofounder of Vans, a family shoe business that grew into a global brand.
In 1966 Van Doren set up the Van Doren Rubber Company in Anaheim, Calif., with his brother James, selling rubber-soled men’s shoes for US$4.49 and women’s for US$2.29. The company was so new that many of the boxes on the shelves were empty and the first customers tried on samples and placed their orders, and the shoes were made overnight.
Customers could select colours and designs. Students wanted shoes to match their uniforms; others brought in exotic materials such as mink. “We said to mom, ‘You want pink shoes?’” Van Doren told Los Angeles magazine this year. “‘Just bring a piece of material. I’ll make you up a pair.’”
Vans shoes, with their thick soles and waffle-patterned grip, caught on with skateboarders who found the sticky vulcanized rubber ideal for gripping a board during manoeuvres. The company soon began selling single shoes to replace the ones that wore out through repeated use of the back foot.
“Everybody else was kicking these kids out of the park, kicking them out of pools,” Van Doren recalled. “And here’s a company listening to them, backing them and making shoes for them.”
Paul Van Doren ran the business until 1976, when he was succeeded by his brother. Under James Van Doren, Vans expanded into producing shoes for running, basketball, volleyball, wrestling and even skydiving.
However, Vans filed for bankruptcy in 1984. Paul returned to the helm, finally retiring after the company was sold to a private equity firm for more than US$70 million. Today Vans brings in around US$4 billion a year. Customers can design their own shoes on the company’s website.
Paul Joseph Van Doren was born on June 12, 1930, in Boston. He left school at 16 and became “a delinquent,” making money from playing pool and betting on the races.
His mother found him work in a local shoe factory. In 1964, in a chance encounter, he met the surfer and Olympic swimming champion Duke Kahanamoku in California. This gave him the idea that would launch his new business.
Having admired his new friend’s Hawaiian shirt, Van Doren offered to make him a matching pair of shoes. Within two years he had started the Van Doren Rubber Co. with US$250,000 lent by his supplier.
Paul Van Doren married Dolly Maclellan in 1950. After they divorced, in 1981 he married Andrena Aitkenhead. She died in 2014. His five children survive him.