PAUL Van Doren, the co-founder of the Vans show company, has died at age 90.

His passing comes after the publication of his book, Authentic: A Memoir by the Founder of Vans.

Who was Paul Van Doren?

Paul Van Doren erected the shoe empire after moving from Massachusetts to Southern California.

Van Doren co-founded the West Coast-based company with his brother Jim in 1966.

Vans announced Van Doren's passing in a post to Twitter this afternoon.

"It is with a heavy heart that Vans announces the passing of our co-founder, Paul Van Doren. Paul was not just an entrepreneur; he was an innovator," the company wrote.

“The Van Doren Rubber Company was the culmination of a lifetime of experimentation and hard work in the shoe industry.

"Paul’s bold experiments in product design, distribution and marketing, along with his knack for numbers and efficiency turned a family shoe business into a globally recognized brand,” the post continued.

“We send our love and strength to the Van Doren family and the countless Vans Family members who have brought Paul’s legacy to life.”

The company was originally called The Van Doren Rubber Co and began selling its shoes out of a warehouse in Anaheim.

The slogan on the first shoebox was "Canvas Shoes for the Entire Family" and pairs were priced between $2.29 – $4.49.

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