Just Another Nike Blog

  GALLERY  SHARE  Download All Converse x Rick Owens TURBODRK Chuck 70 1 Fashion Designer, Rick Owens   Download All Converse’s collaboration with one of fashion's essential iconoclasts, Rick Owens, debuted today during the Rick Owens Fall 2021 show on the Lido, Venice, with the appearance of the partnership's first design, the TURBODRK Chuck 70. Converse’s black and white canvas footwear and Owen’s stark universe of modernist minimalism and contemporary luxury have existed independently while being distinctly connected through the years. It’s a connection that led Owens to introduce the DRKSHDW SS14 RAMONES, a subversive interpretation of Converse’s first basketball silhouette and a classic signifier of culture — the Chuck Taylor All Star. https://news.nike.com/news/converse-x-rick-owens-turbodrk-chuck-70

 In collaboration, the organic affinity Converse partners hold for the brand's storied product becomes catalyst for progressive conversations about its future. Or, as VP of Footwear Brandis Russell reminds, the process is all about welcoming “new thought, new vision, new purpose, new energy and new intention.” Converse has more than a century of culturally-connected history — ranging from the early barnstorming days of basketball to streetwear sweeping the runways of Paris. The through line remains a shared sense of opportunity in breaking from convention. “An important value of Converse is one that respects, honors and wants to continue to foster creativity. Inviting in the collective genius continues to breed innovation for us,” says Russell. “Our brand has been a positive agitator in really critical moments in culture. Today we want to assure that our creative impulse, and that of our partners, has an intention attached to it.” https://news.nike.com/news/converse-collaboration-p...

 Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, basketball’s 130-year history is defined by a spirit of progress, generating iconic moments, legends and trailblazers — just like the rubber shoe company that would be Converse. After all, if basketball teaches us anything, it's that the spirit of progression and a celebration of the past can exist together. In 2021, Converse resurfaces some of basketball’s most important moments of progress, then and now, with a series of capsule collections that are about breaking barriers on and off the court. https://news.nike.com/news/converse-all-stars-spring-summer-2021-collections-pro-leather-chuck-70-all-star-bb-evo-official-images-release-date

 In 1891, Dr. James Naismith drafted the 13 original rules for the game of basketball while teaching at the YMCA training school in Springfield, Mass. Now, 130 years later, Boston-based Converse has partnered with innovative retailer and neighbor, Concepts, to celebrate the state’s history in hoops — and honor its future. Drawing inspiration from the two peach baskets that formed Naismith’s early basketball goals, the collaborative project covers the iconic Chuck 70 and the All Star BB Evo. The choice of shoes nods to Converse’s deep roots in the sport and the brand’s recent return to performance basketball.  “The Chuck transcends all — it’s the one sneaker that has an impact on everyone,” says Deon Point, Creative Director of Concepts. “The one angle we felt is sometimes forgotten is its roots in basketball. Not many even know the Chuck Taylor backstory, so hopefully this will shed some light on history.” Concepts presents the Chuck 70 in an orange and red gradient colorway t...

  After last year’s futuristic take on the Chuck 70 and Pro Leather, AMBUSH® co-founder Yoon Ahn entered Converse’s deep archives and landed on an unanticipated path to her second collaboration with the Boston-based brand.  “In my head, I always think of the Chuck Taylor,” Ahn says. “But what was really interesting looking in the archive was finding the many different shoes Converse has made over the years.” Her visit revealed an array of women's footwear from the ’50s, mid-century military shoes and, most exciting, a nearly 110-year-old knee-high wading boot. “When I saw the freshwater fishing boots, all of a sudden, I thought ‘this is actually really fresh,’” says Ahn. “I didn't know Converse had made them and I wanted to bring out that side of the brand again.” The latest AMBUSH® articulation pulls Converse’s outdoor heritage through with a buoyant refresh of a classic Duck boot, complete with flooded colors (including neutral black and an energetic Blithe Blue) and sculptu...

If the goal of Converse’s 2018 collaboration with creative group Brain Dead was to suggest a sort of archival chaos, the point of its second collab is to zoom in on signature details — the foxing tape on the Chuck 70, a low-cut collar and graphics for the Bosey MC — to poke at expectation, exploring more interpretations of Converse’s heritage. The Chuck 70 distorts the outsole construction and height with EVA foam, adding irregular lines on the rubber rand. Reminiscent of the first collaboration, the upper features an assortment of cow print on tri-paneled canvas and includes Converse and Brain Dead co-branding. The Bosey MC, a modern take on Converse’s 1940s Lakestream wading shoe, plays with a lower collar height and expresses the shoe’s utility background through graphics. Brain Dead’s visual identity is complemented by tactile layering and details like a reinforced foam collar lining, cord loop heel pulls and lacing cables. Converse x Brain Dead Chuck 70 and Bosey MC will be availa...

 November 10, 2020 - In 1976, the final American Basketball Association (ABA) All-Star Game, which coincided with the league’s historic merger with the NBA, was the site of an important first: the inaugural Slam Dunk contest, where Julius “Dr. J” Erving wowed the Denver crowd with his iconic foul-line dunk, instituting a new creative harmony between the game’s art and athleticism. Leading into the 45th anniversary of the merger, Converse releases an ABA-inspired capsule for select basketball models — the All Star BB Evo, the G4 and the lifestyle-driven Chuck 70 — that applies the same patriotic color treatments as the league’s basketball. All three silhouettes feature an enamel red, white and rush blue color scheme. The All Star BB Evo continues the model’s stark split-shoe design, adding a dash of gold to the signature Converse Star Chevron logo, while the G4 includes subtle asymmetric red and blue detailing between the shoe’s medial and lateral sides. The ABA logo appears on the ...

  The holiday lineup for Converse Basketball features new upper detailing and outsole combinations that cut through the court, giving players a mix of silhouettes to stand out and play with their own stylistic flair.   Three colorway packs round out the holiday releases across the Converse All Star BB Evo, the Converse G4 and the Converse Pro Leather. The Hi-Vis collection adds neon, glow-in-the-dark detailing; the Polar Lights collection brings a cool palette inspired by the northern lights; and the Black Ice collection pairs matte-shine finishes with translucent outsoles. Converse All Star BB EVO Inspired by the Chuck Taylor All Star, the All Star BB Evo’s modern profile is highlighted through a range of bright details on the star-chevron branding; the Hi-Vis collection shows off gradients of yellow, purple and orange, while the Polar Lights version includes layered pops of green. Monochromatic black and white uppers serve as a clean base. Converse G4 In these packs, th...

  More than two years ago, at the start of her ongoing collaboration with Converse, Feng Chen Wang, like many designers before her, requested pairs of the Converse Chuck 70 to complete her SS19 Menswear presentation at New York Fashion Week.  Equipped with more than 30 pairs, Wang captured the global attention of the creative community when she presented her vision of the canvas sneaker: a carefully deconstructed and delicately reassembled Chuck 70 concept shoe, complete with hand-painted details. Wang continued to tinker her concept through shape, style and color, and a few weeks later, debuted fresh iterations during her show in Shanghai.  Shortly after the show, Converse and Wang began work to figure out how to formalize the bold concept and bring it to wider audiences. During the following year, after numerous rounds of construction, fit and colorway explorations, the team engineered a design and finalized a color palette that demonstrates the cohesion between Wang’s ...

  If the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star is a classic and iconic expression of American culture, how does its meaning transform when it reflects the Black experience and identity?  It’s through this provocation that Tremaine Emory questioned the intention of his Converse x Denim Tears collection. With his collaboration, Emory and Converse worked together to translate the African-American flag to the canvas of the Chuck 70 for the first time. “Tremaine Emory exemplifies the power of using your voice to create positive social change,” says Brandis Russell, Vice President of Global Footwear at Converse. “We hope that the application of the African-American flag to our iconic Chuck will encourage dialogue on the Black American experience today and help ignite the change we want to see for a more equitable future.” The African-American flag, a constant symbol in Emory’s work and an artistic evolution of Marcus Garvey’s red, black and green Pan-African flag, created an opportunity to...

 Sheila Bridges, a New York-based interior designer known for her distinct furnishing approach, is featured in Converse’s latest collaboration with UNION – a store synonymous with elevated, contemporary fashion and its decades-long mission to support diverse creatives.  Seeing interiors as a means of visual storytelling, Bridges’ most notable visual, the Harlem Toile, is featured for the first time on footwear with the Chuck Taylor All Star – a favorite silhouette of Bridges'.  A toile — short for “toile de Jouy” — is a printed material with a floral, figure or landscape design, typically seen in upholstery. Illustrating scenes of her experience of African American culture in her hometown by way of the French toile, Bridges’ Harlem Toile image (now preserved at The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum's permanent wallpaper collection) was born out of a desire to design a pattern that spoke to her personally.  “I didn’t ever see myself represented in any of the des...

 JORDAN 'WHY NOT?' X CONVERSE PACK AIR JORDAN 16

 The Pack!

“We know there's massive inequalities in access to careers within creativity,” says Converse CMO Jesse Stollak. “If we create new pipelines of experience, we can open an engine for youth opportunity.”   This idea underpins the expanded Converse All Stars program. At its core, the program hinges on a robust community-focused ecosystem of mentorship, commission and funding; Converse's global network facilitates a capacity-building ecosystem that helps young creatives gain professional experience and opportunity.  “It is about giving creatives across mediums opportunities to accelerate and amplify the impact they are trying to make for themselves and for their communities,” says Stollak. For more than two years, Converse has been steadily growing, engaging and building with a grassroots global group of more than 3,000 individuals from more than 27 cities, spanning Los Angeles to Lima — the Converse All Stars. These emerging leaders champion change in sport and culture. Conve...

  As Latinx communities make their voices heard this fall, Converse honors their stories on the iconic canvas of the Chuck Taylor All Star. The brand is releasing its most comprehensive Latin Heritage Month capsule to date, which includes the Chuck 70, the Chuck Taylor All Star and two ruffle tops. A series of Chuck Taylor All Star styles, the focal points of the capsule, represents the diversity, duality and vibrancy of Latinx culture through prints inspired by Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. The canvas upper of the Chuck 70 features an all-over, color-contrast ¡Mi Gente!" print, serving as a call to action and unifying the core beliefs of family and identity within the collection. The minimalist shoe has unique details, including the Spanish letter “ñ,” which is given center stage on the All Star ankle patch. With ¡Mi Gente! By You, customizable Chucks allow for a personal take on the silhouette. The capsule releases September 16 at converse.com and select retail...

  Samuel Ross, founder of A-COLD-WALL*, entered his work with Converse with a probing question: How does a collaboration relay intent? Within the output, which shares two unique articulations of Converse footwear — Chuck Taylor All Star Lugged and an ERX — matched with two uniquely devised track suits, Ross confronts his evolving story.  “We see that this collection is indicative of a shift in where Samuel wants to go and his approach to objects,” says Converse Global Design Director for Footwear and Special Projects, Matt Sleep.  The designs follow hallmarks of ACW*: Asymmetry, material exploration and subdued color. And, in honoring Converse’s heritage, Ross ties a thread through from childhood to the maturation of his brand.  We see that this collection is indicative of a shift in where Samuel wants to go and his approach to objects. Converse Global Design Director for Footwear and Special Projects, Matt Sleep Exploration drives Ross’ practice; break down the indi...

 The Jordan “Why Not?” x Converse Pack treats two of Russell Westbrook’s favorite silhouettes – the Air Jordan XVI and the Converse Chuck 70 – in a graphic and materials arrangement inspired by his gritty play on the court as well as chain nets found on outdoor basketball courts.   In addition to Westbrook’s energy on the court, his unmatched style has no boundaries. The Air Jordan XVI features a detachable, magnetic shroud that can instantly transform the shoe’s look. The Air Jordan XVI and the Converse Chuck 70 feature a range of textures, from leather to satin, that nod back to rock and roll-styled leather jackets that Westbrook enjoys wearing. Studs that resemble those on leather jackets adorn the lateral side of the shroud of the Air Jordan XVI as well as the heel and the chevron star of the Converse Chuck 70. A crackled leather upper on the Converse Chuck 70 is meant to resemble the concrete foundations of street basketball. Westbrook's “Why Not?” Logo is featured o...

  The Skidgrip is back in the Converse lineup, 110 years after its introduction. With modern modifications in form, the under-the-radar classic affirms its effortless stance. The initial release of the return, a High Top collaboration with Jerry Lorenzo's Fear of God ESSENTIALS, underscores the shoe's historic cool. The story of the Skidgrip begins in 1910, with the debut of the Converse Circular Vamp Oxford (CVO). In its various incarnations, the CVO hit tennis and basketball courts, as well as boat and skate decks. In fact, the name "Skidgrip" came in the early 1960s, as reference to no-slip soles designed for boating. Two decades later, the shoe became a conduit for the SoCal-flavor of an emergent interlaced BMX, skate and surf scene.  A Brief History of the Converse Skidgrip https://news.nike.com/news/converse-skidgrip-fog-essentials

 The red hot hues of the Converse Wholehearted collection reference the inner fire within basketball's fiercest competitors. That passion manifests through the Converse All Star BB Evo, designed for those who play with fluid creativity, and the Converse G4, which is engineered for explosive play.  The collection releases September 3 on converse.com. 

 August 10, 2020 - Converse’s first capsule collaboration with photographer Shaniqwa Jarvis is teeming with florals, inspired by a double-exposed image taken on a trip to Mexico that reminded the artist of her late father. Jarvis, known for combining a modern fashion aesthetic with sensitive and emotional portraiture, uses the image to transform the Chuck Taylor All Star CX, as well as the sneaker’s secondary laces, dust bag, shoebox and an accompanying cotton jersey pullover hoodie, into a floral fantasy.  Incorporating the floral photograph is a means to pay respect or “give the man his flowers." Giving flowers, a ritual meant for both celebrating and paying tribute to life, is an homage to Jarvis’ father’s sharp sartorial aesthetic and to how he helped inspire her identity as a photographer. “He had such great style, and I can remember his outfit choices always had something extra; some bit of unexpected flare," she says. "These pieces I've made are something extr...