Vans Neo Boutique (Beijing Hopson One)

As Vans' sixth global Neo Boutique and a strategic APAC flagship, the Beijing Hopson One store transcends conventional retail to become a dynamic stage celebrating skateboarding, music, art, and street culture. Drawing inspiration from Peking Opera—the quintessential symbol of Beijing's cultural heritage—the space masterfully blends traditional Chinese theater with Vans' rebellious spirit, creating an immersive environment where every visitor becomes a performer.
The design ingeniously reinterprets Peking Opera's "five role types" (生旦净末丑) as a metaphor for skaters' diverse identities. The store features dramatic stage-like lighting that casts visitors as protagonists, skate-scarred concrete floors that document authentic movement, and a textured brick façade that mirrors both traditional courtyard walls and urban skate terrain. Functional elements become cultural statements: seating evolves from opera stage architecture, while the "Song" pendant light by renowned designer Cai Liechao adds contemporary craftsmanship.
Artist Da Yin’s traditional monumental calligraphy (榜书) artwork "Fear Nothing" fuses sunlight with traditional strokes, embodying Vans' "OFF THE WALL" ethos. Meanwhile, artist A Hao (Renee) created branded skateboard installations themed after opera characters.
This is retail as cultural theater: a space where Beijing's hutong alleyways meet global street culture, where every scuff mark and shadow celebrates self-expression. More than a store, it's a living manifesto of creativity—inviting all who enter to leave their mark on this ever-evolving stage.