Vans has hired an executive with roots in Hawaii and deep connections in the sneaker world to lead collaborations with big name designers and creatives.
Ian Ginoza, who cofounded Kicks/HI in Honolulu and Saint Alfred in Chicago, will move into the new role of VP, Advisor Creative Director Pinnacle.
Ian held similar positions at Adidas, Nike and Converse and was once named one of the 25 most influential people in sneakers by Complex Magazine.
In his previous roles, Ian has worked on collaborations with brands and designers such as Supreme, Sacai, Dover Street Market, Fear Of God, Jun Takahashi and OFF White by Virgil Abloh.
“Starting as a sneaker shop entrepreneur in Hawaii, Vans was one of the first brands that not only supported my business but also genuinely cared about where I came from and was active in my local community,“ Ian said in a statement. “For me, it feels like I am coming home and I’m incredibly excited to join the brand and help lead its continued approach to driving brand heat through pinnacle collections and experiences.”
