Converse has always pushed the boundaries of what a sneaker can do. Whether you’re sinking three-pointers on the court, hitting the half-pipe or need a pair of sneakers to survive your next rock concert, Converse has been there with you.
Launched in 1908 by Marquis Mills as ‘Converse Rubber Shoe Company’, the company specialised in rubber-soled footwear (galoshes) for men, women and children. By 1910, Converse had begun manufacturing shoes daily, while in 1915, the company switched focus to creating athletic shoes.
However, it wasn’t until 1921 when Charles H. “Chuck” Taylor joined Converse after complaining to the sales office in Chicago about having sore feet. He persuaded the company to create a line of shoes designed purely for basketball, on the condition that he would also work as a salesman and promoter of the new All Star sneaker – which didn’t initially bear his name.
Chuck Taylor travelled across the country promoting the All Stars, creating such an impact that the sneaker was later renamed after him and his signature added on either side of the logo. By the 1930s, the All Star was being worn by basketball players throughout America thanks to the influence of Chuck Taylor. In 2019, after being away from the game for over a decade, Converse reintroduced themselves into the basketball landscape releasing their latest performance basketball shoe – the All Star Pro BB. Combining decades worth of experience on the court with current basketball footwear technological advancements, this latest development promises peak performance and brand-new design style.
Having dominated the basketball sneaker market for over 30 years, the Chuck Taylor All Star made a cultural shift and became prevalent on the music scene in the 80s and 90s. You could find them laced up on the feet of some of the biggest hip hop MCs and rockers in the world, including Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain, Wiz Khalifa, The Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols and The Ramones. The Chuck Taylor All Star represented so many different styles and was adapted by so many subcultures. Even today, Chucks have maintained their appeal after 100 years and their influence is unlike any other shoe..
At the height of the 70s, low cut profiles were the kicks of choice. With basketball embedded in the DNA of Converse, the One Star and Cons (both originally built for the courts), transitioned to the soles of skaters worldwide. Today, the One Star is a common sight at skateparks around the world since its release in 1974. A suede upper, rubber sole and minimal logo design have raised it to cultural status both on and off the board. It was embraced by magazines such as Thrasher who were quick to pick up on the sneaker’s ‘Made in the Suede’ caption for the street and skate scene. Then came the CONS in 1986, a shoe which again quickly became the sneaker to skate in. Converse introduced the CONS skate programme in 2009, featuring ambassadors such as Kenny Anderson, Louie Lopez and Zered Bassett among a host of other skate legends. The team promoted the One Star sneaker across the globe via world tours of skating demos and signings, reaffirming it as a staple of skate.
Converse represents an abundance of cultures and walks of life. We strive to spark progress at the heart of youth culture. In 2017, the message of openness and acceptance with ‘Yes to All’ was spread via the release of a Converse Pride collection. Utilising the rainbow motif of the LGBTQ community, the colourful Chuck Taylors aimed to inspire, while all proceeds went to It Gets Better and the Happy Hippie Foundation. Converse are committed to integrating pride in our Social Impact Initiative and to fulfil our mission of empowering youth movements through positive social change. The 2018 Miley Cyrus X Converse Pride Collection was a full lifestyle collection to be worn by any gender, age, sexual orientation and ethnicity.
From music producers and artists to fashion designers and more, over the years Converse has collaborated with likeminded creatives to produce limited-edition collections. Some of Converse’s collaboration partners include GOLF le FLEUR*, Neighbourhood, Hello Kitty, Comme des Garçons and J.W. Anderson. Converse drops new collaborations every month across a range of different categories, so check back regularly to see what limited editions are coming up next!
FREE DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER 60€
