With the release of its spring collection, Converse has revealed its decidedly rock ‘n’ roll soles.
The brand’s latest designs, hailing from its Music Collaboration Collection, feature imagery from some of the great heavyweights of Brit-rock, including The Who, Pink Floyd and metal god-turned-reality-television-star Ozzy Osbourne.
Additionally, Converse commissioned a number of artists and musicians — Lupe Fiasco and U2’s The Edge among them — to custom-design a shoe to benefit Product RED (joinred.com).
Fiasco’s bilingual shoe plays off the look and feel of newsprint, while The Edge’s contribution is an op-art study of geometry as inspired by the points and angles of the Converse star logo. Both limited edition styles are available for purchase beginning this month and all proceeds will go towards Bono’s Global Fund.
The Converse Music Collaboration Collection has previously paid homage to Black Sabbath, The Doors and The Grateful Dead.
But what, exactly, is the connection between footwear and music?
“At some point, every rock singer and musician has worn Chucks,” explains Patrick Kavanagh, director of sales and marketing for Converse Canada.
“When you put on Chucks, they make you feel free.”
Indeed, Chuck Taylors have often been the footwear of choice for noteworthy musicians. The iconic canvas sneaker has outfitted everyone from Kurt Cobain to Phil Collins, from Tom Petty and Joan Jett to Jason Mraz. Invented nearly 100 years ago as basketball shoes, Chuck Taylors (nicknamed for the athlete who eventually espoused them) are the antithesis of trendy, high-priced footwear. The shoe’s casual low-maintenance comfort speaks to certain lifestyles.
The Ozzy Osbourne design features doodles of the Ozman as both an angel and a devil ($80 – $130). The Pink Floyd shoes showcase album art from Animals, Wish You Were Here and Dark Side of the Moon ($70 – $80) and the shoes that pay homage to The Who have distinctly mod sensibilities, featuring the Union Jack and red, white and blue bullseye logos ($70 – $90).
