Vans Old Skool 36 Souvenir
Chris Claxton
Leaders across indie music are once again teaming up to speak out against Universal Music Group’s proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings with a new campaign.
Dubbed “100 Voices,” the campaign argues that the deal, which is currently the subject of an investigation by the European Commission, “poses a serious threat to competition, diversity and fair access across the music industry,” according to a press release. Downtown operates distribution platforms FUGA and CD Baby, the royalty accounting service Curve and the indie publishing admin services provider Songtrust, among others — all of which are heavily utilized by independent labels and artists.
The “100 Voices” publication was delivered in person on Thursday (Oct. 2) to Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity. Dombrovskis is leading the current phase of the investigation into the proposed deal, the results of which were originally slated for release in December but are now set to be revealed sometime next year (the probe was halted last month because documents were not submitted in a timely manner, according to the Commission.
This isn’t the first time the indie music community has rallied against the proposed acquisition. As soon as the deal was announced, independent companies and organizations including IMPALA, Beggars Group, IMPF, A2IM and Secretly Group began releasing statements asking regulators to block it. In July, more than 200 indie music execs from companies including Better Noise, Dead Oceans, Hopeless Records and Sub Pop published an open letter urging the European Commission to enter a “Phase II” investigation of the deal. “A concentration of this magnitude would narrow the range of voices, styles and cultures that reach the public,” the letter read. “It would give UMG further power to shape digital services, influence monetization thresholds and extract more, at the expense of the independent sector.”
In response to the outpouring of concern, Nat Pastor and JT Meyers — co-CEOs of Virgin Music Group, the UMG subsidiary that would acquire Downtown — sent a memo to staff that rebutted some of the indie community’s claims, stating in part: “Our motivation for the merger and our excitement about it are rooted in this singular opportunity: by combining Downtown’s and Virgin’s unique capabilities, the unified company will offer an even more robust and flexible suite of services to independent labels everywhere.”
Downtown Music CEO Pieter van Rijn also blasted the opposition in an open letter published in September, in which he claimed “misinformation” about the pending acquisition was designed to “undermine our longstanding and trusted client relationships” while ignoring the ways in which the deal would more effectively serve independents.
A press release announcing the “100 Voices” campaign, unveiled on Friday (Oct. 3), includes quotes from several indie executives arguing against the deal, which can be found below. A full list of signees is available at the campaign’s website.
Martin Mills, founder/chairman, Beggars: “We are now operating in an industry increasingly shaped by global corporations, whose dominance over digital infrastructure effects everything from artist visibility to revenue. This ongoing consolidation amounts to a systematic weakening of the independent sector’s ability to compete on fair terms.”
Bruno Roze, founder/artistic director, I Love You Records: “If Downtown’s services fall under UMG’s control, we fear higher costs, reduced access, and the loss of independence that small labels like ours need to survive. This deal risks creating a music ecosystem where one corporation controls too much of the infrastructure, leaving less room for diversity, innovation, and fair competition. For the long-term health of independent music, it should be blocked.”
Nacho García Vega, president, International Artist Organisation: “Artists rely on a pluralistic infrastructure that reflects diversity in both ownership and access. Allowing UMG to consolidate control over a major independent player would move the industry further toward a two-tier system, where market dominance — not creative merit — determines visibility and success.”
Francesca Trainini, vp, PMI Italia: “This is a crucial moment for the future of Europe’s music landscape. The Commission’s intervention shows these concerns are being taken seriously. The risks of reinforcing the leader and losing a big competitor are clearer today than ever before. Remedies would be ineffective in today’s music market. We trust the Commission will take the necessary steps to protect competition, access, and diversity across the sector.”
Birte Wiemann, project manager, Cargo Records Germany: “When unchecked growth disrupts an ecosystem, diversity suffers. If UMG acquires Downtown, entire independent structures are absorbed, giving UMG new power over DSPs and data that weakens independents. The result is less diversity, more homogenised output, and a cultural niche increasingly sidelined.”
Kylie Kelce is loving Taylor Swift‘s new album, The Life of a Showgirl — even if it is a little TMI when it comes to the podcaster’s brother-in-law, Travis Kelce.
On the latest episode of Not Gonna Lie posted Thursday (Oct. 9), Kylie praised the pop star for dropping a project full of “bangers” before listing her top tracks. “My favorites on the album are definitely ‘Wi$h Li$t,’ ‘Opalite’ and — who are we kidding — ‘Wood,'” she said.
The latter song definitely required a bit of a disclaimer from Kylie, as the buzzy lyrics are full of innuendos about Travis’ — ahem — package. On the track, Swift cheekily sings, “Forgive me, it sounds cocky/ He ‘ah-matized’ me and opened my еyes/ Redwood tree, it ain’t hard to see/ His love was thе key that opened my thighs.”
“Here’s the deal,” the former field hockey player explained. “Do I need that much detail, specifically about my brother-in-law? Probably not. But also, good job, Trav!”
“That’s it! Guys, yes, 1,000%, yes,” she continued. “That’s women supporting women. Proud of you.”
Kylie is just the latest member of the Kelce crew to react to “Wood.” On this week’s New Heights, both Travis and Jason Kelce — who is married to Kylie — shared their thoughts.
“It’s a great song,” the Kansas City Chiefs tight end said on the Wednesday (Oct. 8) episode, playing coy. “I love that girl … any song that she would reference me in that way …”
“It’s not just you,” Jason retorted at the time. “It’s an appendage. It’s a very specific thing.”
But as much as Kylie loves “Wood” and “Opalite” — which she says she’s been “bopping to” with 4-year-old daughter Ellie on the way to school — the social media personality added on Not Gonna Lie that “Wi$h Li$t” is definitely her No. 1. Joking that she relates in particular to the lyric, “Have a couple kids, got the whole block looking like you,” Kylie quipped, “The Kelce genes are strong.”
“The genes are strong, guys, I don’t know what to tell you,” continued Kylie, who shares four young daughters with Jason. “We don’t have a fighting chance. Luckily, they make very cute children. Can confirm.”
Swift’s new album comes as Jason and Kylie are preparing to welcome the 14-time Grammy winner into their family as a sister-in-law. She and Travis got engaged in August, something they announced to the world on Instagram with the caption, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”
But while wedding planning is on the horizon for Swift, she has said that rolling out The Life of a Showgirl is her top focus for now. Her hard work is paying off as well, with the LP selling more than 3.5 million units so far and breaking the record for biggest opening week ever in the modern era.
Watch Kylie share her thoughts on The Life of a Showgirl on Not Gonna Lie above.
Every now and then, a sneaker arrives that refuses to fit neatly into a single category. The Vans Old Skool 36 “Souvenir” is one of them — pulling direct inspiration from Chanel’s cult-classic 2015 On the Pavements Messenger (aka the Graffiti Bag), a rare piece famously worn by rappers Lil Yachty and Central Cee, to create a silhouette that exists at the crossroads of skate culture, streetwear, music, and high fashion.
Born in California’s skate scene, Vans has long been the uniform of rebels, musicians, and those who carve their own paths. Chanel, in contrast, is the epitome of Parisian refinement, structured, polished, and timeless. On paper, they are worlds apart. But in practice? The Souvenir Old Skool proves rebellion and refinement can share the same canvas.
When the bag debuted under Karl Lagerfeld in 2015, it sparked conversation. Paying thousands for a canvas messenger splashed with graffiti, enamel pins, and frayed tweed shocked luxury purists. But that was the point. It blurred the line between street and couture, between authenticity and aspiration. Fast forward ten years, and Vans has reimagined that same ethos through a skate lens, turning a once-divisive luxury statement into something both accessible and subversive.
Vans Old Skool 36 Souvenir
Chris Claxton
“The main design inspiration was centered around the idea of traveling — what you’d see while traveling to certain places, what you’d wear while traveling to these destinations, and what you’d take home with you,” says designer Greg Betty. “For this shoe, I wanted to make something that signified the end of a long journey — like a stamped-up passport or a stickered-up Rimowa — but tied to something iconic and undeniable that multiple generations of fashion lovers would get right away. The Chanel On the Pavements Messenger Bag checked multiple boxes.”
The design details make that connection undeniable. The upper features a dirty-dyed, olive-toned canvas that feels lived-in from day one. The classic Vans jazz stripe trades clean leather for frayed, multicolor tweed, a direct nod to Chanel’s signature fabric. Scattered across the upper are enamel pins that flip Chanel’s smiley-face and yin-yang motifs through Vans’ own lens, while leather accents and metal hardware elevate the finish. It’s grungy, glamorous, and grounded all at once.
“Everything about the shoe was considered and custom-made,” Betty explains. “From the colors and thickness of the tweed, to the placement of the distressing and embroidered paint splatter, to the graphic motifs on each pin… It was truly a team effort to make sure the storytelling was felt.”
The result? A sneaker that doesn’t just borrow from Chanel, it converses with it. This is luxury filtered through skate sensibility, where imperfection becomes intentional and wear tells a story. The Souvenir isn’t a souvenir from a single trip, it’s one from decades of culture converging: skaters in Southern California, models in Paris, rappers in London, and musicians in New York all intersecting through design.
Vans Old Skool 36 Souvenir
Chris Claxton
And people noticed. The Souvenir Old Skool sold out almost instantly, proving that when streetwear and luxury meet in the middle, the world pays attention. As Betty reflects, “The reception has been extremely overwhelming, beautiful, and affirming. Seeing the interest is amazing, but the discourse and educational moments that have been brought up because of this shoe has been a pleasure to witness. I think more than anything, people loved the intentionality and care behind the design.”
From a wearability standpoint, the sneaker holds up beyond its concept. The materials feel premium — sturdy canvas that softens with wear, tweed that frays with character, and enamel pins that add personality without gimmick. It fits true to size, though wide-footed wearers may prefer a half size up. This attention to quality makes it one of Vans’ most elevated offerings to date.
But what truly sets the Souvenir apart is what it represents. It’s more than a reworked Old Skool, it’s a cultural remix. In a moment where artists like Lil Yachty and Central Cee blur the line between streetwear and high fashion, Vans steps confidently into that same conversation, proving skate culture has always influenced the runway. The Souvenir isn’t chasing luxury, it’s redefining it through authenticity.
So, is it a Flex, Trade or Fade? For me, this one’s a Flex — no question. The storytelling, the craftsmanship, and the symbolism all line up. It’s a sneaker that proves fashion, music, and skate culture aren’t living in separate worlds anymore — they’re sharing the same stage. The Souvenir Old Skool doesn’t just celebrate that connection; it embodies it.
But what do you think? Would you Flex, Trade, or Fade the Vans Old Skool 36 Souvenir?
Vans Old Skool 36 Souvenir
Chris Claxton
Taylor Swift’s record-breaking week continues as she bags No. 1 spots on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart and Official Singles Chart following a gargantuan debut for The Life of a Showgirl (Oct. 10).
Her 12th studio album nets Swift her 14th No. 1 in the U.K. overall, while lead single “The Fate of Ophelia” earns the superstar her fifth U.K. No. 1 single.
The Life of a Showgirl gives Swift her biggest opening week ever in the U.K. with 423,00 units across physicals, streaming and downloads, surpassing 2024’s The Tortured Poets Department. The Official Charts Company reports that The Life of a Showgirl is the biggest opening week for any artist since Ed Sheeran’s 2017 album Divide (672,000) and is the largest opening week for an international album in the U.K. this century.
The LP is also named the U.K.’s fastest-selling album on vinyl this century, and the biggest one-week vinyl sale since modern Official Chart records began in 1994. On streaming, The Life of a Showgirl has notched up the most U.K. album streams over a course of a week ever. Streaming contributed 84,000 stream-equivalent sales to her total this week, eclipsing both Ed Sheeran’s Divide and her own previous studio album The Tortured Poets Department, both of which managed 79,000.
She also extends her lead with the most No. 1s on the U.K. Albums Charts for an international artist, and now ties for second overall with The Rolling Stones (14). The top spot is also currently a tie between The Beatles and Robbie Williams who both have 15 apiece; the latter playfully blamed Swift for the delay of his upcoming album Britpop, which was due to be released this week.
“The Fate of Ophelia” tops the U.K. Singles Charts, with “Elizabeth Taylor” (No. 2) and “Opalite” (No. 3) following closely behind. Swift adds to her existing four U.K. chart-toppers throughout her career: “Look What You Made Me Do” (2017), “Anti-Hero” (2022), “Is It Over Now?” (2023) and “Fortnight” (2024).
Olivia Dean loses her top spot on both charts after The Art of Loving and its single “Man I Need” earned the British star her maiden No. 1s on either chart. The LP falls two places to No. 3, while “Man I Need” closes at No. 4.
Oasis’ (What’s The Story) Morning Glory ends the week at No. 2 on the Albums Chart, and is joined by Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend (No. 4) and James Morrison’s Fight Another Day (No. 5).
New Kid and Family Movies in 2025: Calendar of Release Dates (Updating)
Brooklyn Mirage Has Been Quietly Co-Managed by Hedge Fund Manager Axar Capital Amid Reopening Drama
The best sexting apps in 2025
Kid and Family TV Shows in 2025: New Series & Season Premiere Dates (Updating)
Every potential TikTok buyer we know about
iOS 18.4 developer beta released — heres what you can expect
Are You an RSSMasher?
DOGE-ing toward the best Department of Defense ever