Vans has launched Global Custom Culture, a contest for prospective designers among the fans of the skate shoe brand. The contest is open to consumers from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, the U.K., France, Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan. These areas are grouped into three regions: North America, Europe and Asia. From Sept. 5 to Sept. 29, those who wish to take part should sign up at custom-culture.vans.com, download and print a stencil, apply their design, take a digital photograph of it and upload the picture for 3D rendering. Consumers in certain markets will be able to purchase these designs through Vans Customs. On Oct. 1-13, the submitted designs will be displayed online, and the public will vote. The names of 10 finalists will be announced on Dec. 5. They will receive a pair of Era shoes, where they can apply a new design directly onto the canvas. On Dec. 19, members of Vans' design and marketing teams and select art ambassadors will select three winners – one per region – for a grand prize of $25,000. They will then meet with global designers; the chief executive, Steve Van Doren; and others at Vans' headquarters in Costa Mesa, California, and help steer a donation of $100,000 to a charity that fosters creativity. The grand-prize winners will also have their shoes produced and sold by Vans. To support the competitors, the brand will be hosting creative workshops throughout September. Vans is a subsidiary of VF Corp.

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