Where would indie boys and girls be without their trusty Vans Authentic plimsolls? Opening a dedicated Vans store on the old Footlocker site opposite Camden Town tube station on the High Street side is a genius move by the American skate brand. The US-style shop fit - the first of its UK stores to have this edgy, raw wood and wire, artisan warehouse style interior - gives it a more urban feel well suited to the North London muso vibe.
Although the official launch was last night, the store - which sells both men's and women's apparel, skateboards, longboards, accessories, luggage, some great snapbacks and, of course, shoes - has been open for two weeks now and the super helpful staff tell me they've been run off their feet every single day with a mixture of tourists and Londoners.
Possibly the best news from last night's launch was that the super hot, long awaited Vans' Waffle Sole iPhone Covers which started off as a promo item then went cult, selling for crazy$£ on eBay, will finally be getting a general release this August.
This new Camden store has a similar feel, interior-wise, to the Vans x DQM General Store in New York (although it's far less mainstream on the product front), so I'm hoping it's a step towards bringing this kind of upmarket, skate inspired street fashion boutique to the UK.
Vans Store, 191-209 Camden High Street, London NW1 7BT. www.vans.co.uk
