60 YEARS OF THE VANS AUTHENTIC

This March marks the 60th anniversary of the Vans Authentic, the brand’s longest running style, one that has remained a staple across generations. As a defining style of footwear for skaters around the world, the Authentic has proven itself as an icon, and is now set to be the feature of Vans’ latest launch. To coincide with their anniversary, Vans OTW have teamed up with LN-CC to commemorate the occasion, featuring London-based creatives Rei Delos-Reyes and Pedro Soler.

As videographers and photographers, Rei Delos-Reyes and Pedro Soler have worked individually and collaboratively with music artists, most notably working together to create visuals for MACHINE. Soler’s credits also include directing music videos for DORA, h3nce, and The Youth Play, and Delos-Reyes has image making and direction for Kilo Boost, Kali Malone, Jamie Campbell Bower under his belt. Both of their works often feature cinematic compositions and lean into gothic or grunge stylings, so it’s no surprise they work together so well. Now, the pair have captured the spirit of the Authentic, creating visuals shot in London, and being the latest to feature in LN-CC’s Store Mix series.

What did you both want to capture with this shoot?

RD: A glimpse into our world. PS: A close and honest vision of our world. We wanted it to feel real and direct.

It was set in locations you’re both connected to. How do these settings resonate with you?

RD: Transience is a key element in my work and these places hit close to home. PS: Bring together our origins and the places we creatively resonate.

How do you think your imagery commemorates the Vans Authentic?

RD: A personal take on a long standing classic, blending past with present. PS: Rather than building a linear narrative, we wanted the images to feel more like fragments. In that context, the Vans Authentic doesn’t appear as just a product placed at the center of attention. Instead, it becomes a constant presence throughout the imagery.

The Vans Authentic are iconic. What do you think makes something iconic?

RD: Things that stand the test of time. PS: Something becomes iconic when it goes beyond trends and generations.

You’ve worked on quite a few projects together before. When did you first meet and how long have you been collaborating with each other?

RD: We’ve been collaborators since 2024 - everything happened extremely organically from the beginning. I’m grateful to be surrounded by talented friends I can make magic with. PS: We both have the same hunger and energy when we’re out there, and we share a very similar creative world, so it felt easy from the start.

You each have such a distinct sense of style in your work, yet they also feel like they’re part of the same world. Does this help when you work collaboratively?

RD: We speak the same language but use different words, this allows for proper synchronicity. PS: Our processes tend to come from a much more intuitive place than a strictly formal one. It allows ideas to flow naturally without over-explaining everything.

Can you talk about your creative origins?

RD: My work was born out of a tide shift - currently 2 years into image making, working across fashion, music and film. Before that I worked a bunch of odd jobs in fashion on a hustle. DJing has been a sonic outlet for some years now, separate from my image work. PS: I was exposed to art from a very young age. Creativity wasn’t something distant. Then I’ve always developed according to whatever I had in my hands at the time. I started with video editing skate clips, which naturally evolved into directing music videos to now music with my band green star.

How have you developed your visual languages over the years?

RD: Through extensive research, experimentation and mistakes. I also day dream a lot. PS: I think we both agree that our visual languages come from a much more visceral place

Are there any notable references early on that either of you still look back to?

RD: Memories - the silent informer to my work. PS: The naivety of the past for sure.

Given that you’re both such visual artists, when it came to creating this Store Mix, did you each have visuals in mind?

RD: Less for the eyes more for the ears. PS: Fragmented narratives and feedback.

What were you considering when creating your track list for the mix?

RD: I wanted to go to space and this is the closest I could get to for now. PS: Purely instinctive choices, tracks that carry a certain tension or emotion.

Where’s the best place to hear your mix?

RD: A place with minimum outside world interference. PS: Anywhere — as long as it’s loud.