Vans and legendary photographer Atiba Jefferson return with United Through Skateboarding Collection 2.0, a new chapter celebrating the friendships, creativity, communities and cultural connections build through skateboarding. Bringing footwear, apparel and accessories together. The collection draws heavily from Jefferson’s extensive photographic archive, original artwork and even his personal relationships across skateboarding, music, fashion, art and the surrounding cultures.
Jefferson spent years documenting skateboarding culture, capturing some of its most recognisable moments while building connections that extend far beyond the skatepark. His work has also reached music and professional sports, including a record number of photographed covers for SLAM Magazine. He co-directex Monochrome, the Emmy-bonus and Clio Award-winning ESPN documentary exploring the Black experience in skateboarding. That broad cultural perspective shapes the way the new collection is treating skateboarding. It isn’t just a scene defined by one background or discipline byt a shared language by many cultures and regions.
For his Collection 2.0, Jefferson takes control of the campaign’s art direction, bringing in artist Lauren Halsey, musician Flea and Vans Skate Team rider Rowan Zorilla. Halsey, a longtime friend of Jefferson who is based in Los Angeles, also contributes original custom logo artwork, adding another personal connection to the collection.
Iconic Vans Silhouettes, Personal Stories
The footwear lineup puts Jefferson’s visual language onto some of Vans familiar silhouettes. The AVE Rapid LX comes in “Atiba Gold”, a colour inspired by the Los Angeles Lakers, a team Jefferson continues to photograph. The Authentic 44, arguably one the most recognisable Vans silhouettes, takes on “Atiba Pink”, a shade selected by Jefferson himself. Its insole captures Vans rided Arisa Trew landing a 540 at the final Vans Pool Party, turning a skateboarding moment into a personal detail built into the the sneaker itself.
The Sk8-Hi features a photograph of legendary skater Geoff Rowley printed across its exterior. Following the photo-led Authentic from 2025, the design continues Jefferson’s approach of using footwear as a canvas for skateboarding history. Meanwhile, the Rowan Z3 celebrates his longstanding friendship with Zorilla. The skater’s portrait appears on both the shoebox as well as the swing tag, and the blue colourway references their shared love for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Apparel Built for Life Behind the Lens
Beyond the sneakers, the collection also introduces a xargo hoodie and matching trousers in pink, black and Bay Leaf colourways. The trousers include a dedicated pocket for a point-and-shoot camera, a functional element that reclects Jefferson’s life documenting skate culture. Additional apparel and accessories feature archival photographs, previously unseen images and skate-ready construction, connecting the practical demands of skating with the personal stories behind the lens.
United Through Skateboarding Collection 2.0 is a celebration of the relationships that give skateboarding its lasting influence. Through the photographs, connections, colour choices and the details drawn from the real connections friendships were shaped. These all form part of the collection and the importance behind it. Atiba Jefferson and Vans unite people and moments that make the culture what it is. The collection is available globally from selected Vans retailers, skate shops and Vans.com from 9 October 2026.
