VAULT BY VANS AND LEICA CAMERA AG PARTNER WITH RAY BARBEE

The legendary reputation of the Leica brand is based on a long tradition of excellent quality, German craftsmanship and German industrial design, combined with innovative technologies. Legendary photographers and artists from all over the world prize Leica quality. Vans pro athlete and professional skateboarder Ray Barbee happens to be one of those influential artists using a Leica M camera for years. 

Born in San Jose, California in 1971, Ray Barbee was one of the first skateboarders to bring freestyle, flat ground tricks to the street and turned pro in 1989, just six years after he started skating. Ray was always surrounded by gifted skateboard photographers and got the chance to see their work up close. Inspired by what they accomplished in capturing the movement and energy of his sport, he was driven to shoot his own photos and get into the darkroom making richly shaded silver gelatin prints.

As a trailblazer for '90s and early 2000s skateboarding, Ray used a distinctly '90s color palette throughout the Vault by Vans x Ray Barbee “Capturing the Journey”, balancing light blue and brown against dark red and teal. In a nod to the tradition of these classic Vans styles, the uppers are all suede and canvas, but Ray made them his own with several key details. 

Finally, the three partners – Vans, Ray Barbee and Leica – have teamed up to introduce the limited-edition Leica D-Lux 7 Vans x Ray Barbee: an extraordinary camera covered in Vans’ iconic checkerboard pattern. The top plate of the camera features Ray Barbee’s signature, as well as the Vault by Vans logo. The set includes a specially designed carrier strap and matching dust bag, both in petrol blue. The limited special edition camera is available in Leica Stores around the world.

The Vault by Vans x Ray Barbee “Capturing the Journey” will be available beginning November 19, 2021, at Vault by Vans retailers.