In conjunction with the disclosure of Gorillaz x CONVERSE collaboration, the maker of the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star and Jack Purcell also announced the new lineup of its “Three Artists. One Song” music project. In this first installment of 2012, CONVERSE tapped the talented James Murphy, the polymathic Andre 3000, and of course, Gorillaz, for the creation of an original song. Exact details have not surfaced yet, though it didn’t stop Gorillaz‘s Murdoc Niccals from talking about it in his latest secret podcast, which you can hear in its entirety below.
The first major collaboration of the year, CONVERSE finally unveiled its new project with Gorillaz, the famous virtual band. The collection consists of four distinct CONVERSE Chuck Taylor All Star in High and Oxford forms. Each covered with unique graphics solely for this project by Jamie Hewlett, Gorillaz co-creator. In reference to the cover art on Gorillaz‘s self-titled album, one design features a fragmented camouflage in all-over print fashion. Militarism styling is found on another design, this time with Hewlett’s Pazuzu caricature on an all-black backdrop. Hewlett also created a special lining, a collage of Gorillaz’ albums artworks, for both. In addition, two other designs, in black with High Cut style and white in Oxford form, both featuring sketches of band members Stuart “2D” Pot, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs at play. Thus, completing the Spring 2012 Collection on a high note.
All four designs will be available through select CONVERSE retailers and CONVERSE online store on Thursday, February 23rd.
Release Date: February 23rd, 2012 (Thursday)
Converse continues its mission to support independent music. The latest unsigned band to be profiled as part of Converse Rubber Tracks’ short film series is the Brooklyn-based trio Jumpers. In their “Oh, Hello” segment, drummer Tim McCoy, bassist Turner Stough and singer/guitarist Mary Page discuss how the three came together and why it’s great to be a band in a big city with a thriving music scene (they cite a sense of community and the ever-present inspiration to become better musicians). The accompanying “Track of the Week” clip provides a behind the scenes look at the recording of Jumpers’ infectious song “Fireworks.” Check out both videos following the click.
Thanks to CONVERSE’s Chuck Taylor Premium City Pack and a nice flatbill, residents of Boston, Los Angeles, and New York can now rep their cities from head to toe. Made of premium tumbled leather uppers with the iconic sewn-on ankle patch, each version of this hi-top trio uses a unique accent color for the laces, liner, sole, and stripe on the midsole inspired by the cities themselves. Green was chosen for Boston, purple for L.A., and blue for the Big Apple. The “City” pack from Converse is available now exclusively on their online store.
Having been in the same circle of creative types for a number of years, the only thing surprising about this upcoming collaboration is why it took Eddie Cruz and Hiroshi Fujiwara so long? Right off UNDFTD‘s successes with CONVERSE Poor Man’s Weapon, Cruz unveiled the yet to be named Chuck Taylor All Star on his Instagram. While no details were given, the design looked to be predominantly red, white accents, and with logos from fragment design and UNDFTD. Rumor has it that the design might be a Valentine’s Day edition. But with that special day fast approaching, we doubt that is the case. Whatever it might be and whenever it might be release, there about to be more information to follow soon. via: Eddie Cruz
Murdoc Niccals, the seedy member of Gorillaz made a surprising announcement this morning on the band’s upcoming collaboration with CONVERSE. Sounded like a broadcast from a pirate radio station, Murdoc went on length about the start of the Chuck Taylor All Star project. What was originally a commemoration for the world’s most famous virtual band’s 10th anniversary quickly became a full-on creative session, which encompass four different designs and a special Gorillaz produces Three Artists, One Song campaign. With the collaboration’s release date of February 23rd fast approaching, expect Murdoc and the rest of his cohorts will be making more impromptu statements in the near future. Meanwhile, hear the full transmission from Murdoc Niccals at the link below.
Release Date: February 23rd, 2012 (Thursday)
If a video game design start-up asked about the secret to success in the gaming industry, then they need to look no further than designer Shigeru Miyamoto. With a fairy tale plot line and cutesy caricatures, Miyamoto’s Super Mario Bros. franchise continues to be the best selling titles some 25 years later. In honoring such legacy, CONVERSE and CONVERSE Japan will introduce the third iteration to the Super Mario Bros. x CONVERSE collection, the CONVERSE One Star – Super Mario Bros. Edition. In all leather, white or black, the special design features a pixelated Mario around the exterior heel panel. The CONVERSE trademarked star logo is now inlay with a “Mario Star” in yellow. And a complement to the game’s classic color scheme, accent in red leather tip the interior liner. Originally announced last year as part of the Super Mario Bros. x CONVERSE Collection, the Super Mario Bros. x CONVERSE One Star Ox will be available this coming March at select CONVERSE Japan retailers. via: HS
Release Date: March 2012
Expression of love need not be diamond and gold bling-blings. Sometimes, simple gestures convey emotions more effectively. Gestures like the Valentine’s Day Pack for CONVERSE Chuck Taylor All Star. In either High or Oxford (Low), CONVERSE designers deluged the canvas classics with cutesy heart monograms and polka-dot patterns. Feeling slightly overwhelmed? CONVERSE also included simpler designs with the addition of Valentine’s Day themed laces. Originally intended for girls and women only, like most other CONVERSE, sizing are unisex base. The Chuck Taylor All Star Hi & Ox for Valentine’s Day are arriving at all major CONVERSE retail locations worldwide in the coming weeks.
The collaboration last Spring between CONVERSE and outerwear specialist Schott New York introduced Motorcycle Leather Jacket, a Chuck Taylor off shoot derived from Schott’s famous leather motorcycle jacket. And while the model proved to be immensely popular, it was exclusive to CONVERSE First String retail outlets only. This Spring, CONVERSE will introduce the model once again. While Schott will not take part in this release, the Motorcycle Leather Jacket still features the same genuine leather upper, full zip adornment around the eyelet, and offset stitch work. Comes in high or low (oxford) variants, both are available in black leather. There is also the brown leather edition, though only comes in oxford design. All are now available through CONVERSE online store.
In what was their first of many sales trip to the sale office of luxury brand MISSONI in Milan, Italy, the folks from Sweden’s Tres Bien Shop also caught a glimpse of MISSONI x CONVERSE Chuck Taylor All Star Hi for Fall 2012. Since its debut some seasons ago, the collaboration, which amalgamated Old World craftsmanship with New World functionality, have become some of the most sought after footwear in the realms of both fashionistas and sneakerheads. And from the looks of Tres Bien Shop’s visit, MISSONI will lavish the upcoming Chucks even more. In addition to the MISSONI signature woven fabric as upper, the Fall 2012 edition will also include authentic leather CONVERSE emblems on the medial side and heel tab. Further more, foxing made of leather stripes will be in place of the tradition rubber ones. Finally, a set of three laces will accompany each pair. While there are official words on the exact release date, it will most likely arrive with the rest of MISSONI Fall 2012 Collection at the end of summer.
Japan’s SOPHNET. has began showing off what’s in store for their Spring/Summer 2012 collection, and as always Freshness has you covered with the scoop. On the footwear side of things the label is getting together with Converse, cranking out a pair of Chucks with their own twist. The SOPHNET. x CONVERSE All Star Zip Hi comes in the classic canvas in deep navy for the upper, with the side zipper in place as suggested by the name. Among the endless amount of upgrades we’ve seen on the Converse All Star Hi, the zippered look seems to be the one that does the most with the least, injecting a bit of a punk aesthetic into the sneakers. Hit the jump for the full view and stick with Freshness to get the latest info on the forthcoming SOPHNET. collection.
In a break from the past, Converse sidesteps yet another collaboration with Japanese label Bedwin & the Heartbreakers to team up directly with the brand’s creative director and mastermind, Masafumi Watanabe. The result is a sneaker-boot hybrid that blends the Jack Purcell Johnny High with a traditional duck boot. Features include a gusseted tongue, metal eyelets and water resistant upper built with a combination of rubber and stitched leather. The familiar Jack Purcell smile at the toe cap, along with leather pull tabs and gum sole, round out the details of this exclusive Converse First String release. It’s in stock now at Canada’s Haven.
HAVEN Flagship
10528 108 Street NW | Map
Edmonton, AB Canada
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