Authentic
A review of

Authentic

A Memoir by the Founder of Vans

Paul Van Doren • Paul Van Doren • 2021

Keeping It Real

by David Meyer

In this candid memoir, Vans’ late founder Paul Van Doren explains how he started and sustained Vans Shoes, and how he flexed with the times while always remaining true to his vision.

Vans shoes are American icons and the company’s founder, Paul Van Doren, was a legend. In this memoir, published just before his death in 2021, he shares how he and his family built Vans, and how his son Stevie made it the signature shoe of skater and surfer culture. Through good times and bad, Van Doren emphasizes, authenticity and simplicity remained Vans’ hallmarks.

Work Ethic

His parents taught Paul Van Doren that family matters most, especially in difficult times.

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