“I hope this collection represents being united through skateboarding,” affirms photographer and cultural documentarian Atiba Jefferson, setting the tone for his latest collaboration with Vans: the United Through Skateboarding Collection. The new line, spanning footwear, apparel, and accessories stamped with Atiba’s imagery and vision, dropped this past week at Nova Studios in West Hollywood, where a night of music, community, and creativity paid tribute to skate culture’s past, present, and future.
For Atiba, who has been documenting skateboarding for over three decades, the collaboration marks a milestone in his creative journey. “This has been 30 years of me just shooting skateboarding, and it’s got me to a place where Vans approached me for this collaboration,” he reflected. “It’s beyond my wildest dreams.”
The evening began with an intimate workshop where Atiba offered guests a rare look into his process, demonstrating how to frame and capture the fleeting brilliance of a skate moment. Attendees leaned in, experimenting with angles, lenses, and timing under his guidance. The session not only showcased his technical skill but also underscored his belief that “there are no limitations on what anyone can do.”
Afterward, the event shifted gears into full celebration mode. Guests were treated to food by LA’s beloved Villas’ Tacos, drinks, and vinyl-spun sets from pro skater John Cardiel, with Sister Nancy’s ‘Bam Bam’ permeating the walls onto the streets of Los Angeles. As the crowd mingled and swayed, the venue itself became a party and a gallery: the collection’s sneakers lined the walls like art installations, including the Skate Half Cab with Atiba’s iconic John Cardiel photograph and the Skate Old Skool 36+ featuring hand-drawn artwork by graffiti legend Haze. The vibrant tones of the shoes were echoed by an orange carpet that greeted attendees, creating a striking visual connection between the products and the space. Once you take your eyes off the wall of shoes, works throughout Atiba’s career embellish every corner, signaling just how far he has come.
The night drew a diverse mix of skaters, artists, athletes, and cultural figures. Faces from the campaign, including Blake Anderson and Tim Robinson, were spotted among the crowd, where fans were spotted trying to get their Thrasher magazine autographed. Later in the evening, the band Battles erupted onto the stage, fueling the energy as the celebration carried on till midnight.
While the event captured the spirit of skateboarding’s inclusivity, Atiba emphasized the deeper meaning behind the collection. “United through skating is about community,” he explained. “And Vans is opening its doors to a bunch of different people, centering diversity and inclusion.” His words resonated throughout the night, reinforcing the collection as more than a product, but a reflection of skateboarding as a cultural connector.
The designs themselves carry layers of storytelling. Alongside Haze’s graffiti-inspired graphics and custom logo, Atiba incorporated personal touches, including photographs from his archive. He credits his friendship with the late Virgil Abloh for inspiring his approach to fashion and collaboration, noting that these experiences influenced the vision behind this collection. His personal favorites, the grey Waveys and the OTW by Vans Sneakers featuring his own photography are a testament to his seamless blending of skate, art, and culture.
Ultimately, the launch celebrated not only the collection but also Atiba’s legacy as one of skateboarding’s most influential documentarians. From his beginnings in Colorado Springs at the BC Skate and Sport shop to becoming a central figure in Los Angeles skate culture and beyond, his work has memorialized countless moments while shaping how the world views skateboarding. “United Through Skateboarding” represents the culmination of that journey, bridging generations and communities under a shared passion.
The ATIBA X VANS: United Through Skateboarding Collection is available now at select Vans retailers and on vans.com, with a second drop to follow on October 16, 2025.
