The Iconic Shoe that Brought our Sidestripe to Life: This is the Old Skool The Old Skool was our first footwear design to showcase the famous Vans Sidestripe—although back then, it was just a simple doodle drawn by founder Paul Van Doren. Since its debut in 1977, this low-top silhouette has established itself as an icon in the skate, music, and fashion scenes. Consistently the go-to shoe for creatives who do things their own way, the Old Skool blends heritage design with a leopard print for a unique take on a classic look.