Vans has released a short documentary entitled Girls Skate India, which stars professional skateboarder Lizzie Armanto and India's first female skateboarder to go pro, Atita Verghese.
The pair's mission is to challenge India's societal norms and to inspire girls and women to follow their dreams, despite what others tell them. The film highlights the country's skate community, and features Armanto's organization, Girls Skate India, which teaches local girls about the sport. In addition to the release of the film, Vans has announced that it will launch more than 100 "global skate clinics" in major cities including Brooklyn, Chicago and Shang Hai.
The release of these skate clinics was set to coincide with International Women's Day on March 8th.
Female-Driven Skateboarding Films
Vans' Girls Skate India Follows 2 Professional Skateboarders
Trend Themes
1. Female Empowerment in Sports - Creating films and initiatives that promote female empowerment in sports, like Girls Skate India, presents opportunities for brands to tap into a growing market and inspire change.
2. Skateboarding Culture in Emerging Markets - Tapping into emerging markets like India, where skateboarding is still relatively new, can lead to disruptive innovation within the skateboarding industry and open up new opportunities for brands.
3. Global Expansion of Skate Clinics - Expanding the reach of skate clinics in major cities around the world, as announced by Vans, offers a chance for brands to connect with local skate communities and foster growth and inclusivity in the sport.
Industry Implications
1. Sports and Fitness - With the rise of female-driven sports initiatives, the sports and fitness industry has the potential to capitalize on the growing demand for inclusivity and empowerment.
2. Film and Entertainment - The production and distribution of female-driven skateboarding films provides opportunities for the film and entertainment industry to showcase diverse stories and amplify underrepresented voices.
3. Fashion and Lifestyle - As skateboarding culture continues to expand in emerging markets, the fashion and lifestyle industry can tap into the trend by creating innovative skate-inspired products and collaborations that cater to a new audience.