Paris’ annual Fête de la Musique, a celebration where Parisians take to the streets, make music, and dance, was in full swing last night. Music streamed from nearly every cafe and bar, but one party stood out – the OTW by Vans celebration. The skatewear brand returned to Paris Men’s Fashion Week with a week-long program of events, culminating in a party to commemorate the Vans skate park installation beneath the iconic Basilica de Sacré-Cœur.
Perched on the picturesque hill of Montmartre, the OTW by Vans Checkered Future: Sacré Coeur installation marked a joint celebration of Go Skateboarding Day and Fête de la Musique. The event showcased a live skate exhibition by Vans Team Athletes like Efran Danzig, a Vans skater who had skated Paris many times but never on an art installation at the foot of the Sacré-Cœur. “I’m kind of terrified,” she shared as she prepared to skate on the installation created in collaboration with PLAYLAB, INC and California Skateparks. “It was absolutely a blast. Definitely like a dream to skate in front of Sacré-Cœur Basilica. I wouldn’t even think that’s possible, but Vans always does something way ahead of my imagination,” said skater Mami Tezuka as she left the ramp.
The event drew a massive crowd, stretching as far as the eye could see down the hill. Open to the public, the event also boasted a guest list filled with fashionable figures in town for the festivities. Near the DJ booth, champagne bars were set up, where Emily Ratajkowski was spotted catching up with singer/actor Moses. Elsewhere, models Paloma Elsesser and Devyn Garcia (both in town for Vogue World) danced. “I can’t believe we are seeing Justice right now!” Elsesser exclaimed.
The music lineup rivaled a mini festival, featuring performances by Kaytranada, Venus X, Busy P, and Tatyana Jane. Around 10 PM, as the sun began to set on a summer night, the legendary Justice took to the DJ booth. By 11 PM, the crowd was heating up as singer Omar Apollo arrived with a group of friends. While the event was technically scheduled to end at midnight, the night had just begun, with the sun setting only recently. The night was a vibrant blend of music, skateboarding, and Parisian energy, making the OTW by Vans celebration a truly memorable highlight of Fête de la Musique.
