Converse

American brand of sports shoes, established in 1908 by Marquis M. Converse. Nine years later, he came out with the All Star, the world’s most famous basketball sneakers, which would become part of the wardrobe of young people all over the western world. In 1971, Converse Inc. was acquired by Eltra Corporation and, in 1994, it became a public company. For men, women, and children, Converse shoes are manufactured and distributed in more than 90 countries, with a total of more than 9,000 stores. The brand sponsors and dresses the pop band The Spice Girls.
Alongside its high-tech products, Converse launches a line inspired by its past and linked to the brand’s history and tradition. It is called Original and offers several vintage pieces.
The All Star (a.k.a. the Chuck Taylor, the American basketball champion for whom the shoes had been created) is more than 80 years old. The model went through several changes over the years, gradually taking up the themes dear to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson (famous players and celebrity spokesmen for Converse) as well as camouflage fashions, up until the 30 new colors and the vintage look of the 1960s and 1970s. The latest style is the “underground,” for which various artists have contributed hand-painted unique pieces.
Some new Converse items are presented at Pitti Uomo. The Chuck Taylor All Star is personalized by John Varvatos, a designer from Michigan, who also attended to the restyling of the Jack Purcell model. Varvatos is present at Pitti with a personal Collection as well.
Nike, a multinational based in Portland, Oregon and a leader in sportswear, acquires all of Converse Inc. for $305 million (€268.8 million).