PARIS, France (September 25, 2012) – Today, CONVERSE Inc. announces the launch of THE CONVERSE MISSONI ARCHIVE PROJECT. Part of Converse First String, the project features a series of 20 one-of-a-kind sneakers created using unique deadstock fabrics from the Missoni archive. The exclusive 20 pair collection launches on Friday, September 28 at Colette in Paris with a special installation created by artist Gary Card to coincide with Paris Fashion Week.
“The Converse Pro Leather and Auckland Racer shoes each helped to usher in the modern era of basketball and running respectively and we are excited to unite these iconic designs with the rich heritage of Missoni and the inspiring artistry of Gary Card” says Penny Ericson, Vice President, Converse Jack Purcell and Premium.
Designed to celebrate the long-standing collaboration between the two brands, now in its sixth season, this project features the Auckland Racer and Pro Leather Mid in collaboration with Missoni. Legendary silhouettes in sport, both iconic sneakers make the perfect blank canvas to beautifully showcase a myriad of distinct Missoni fabrics that debuted in runway collections from 1994 to the present day. No longer available, the deadstock materials are colourful, vibrant and eclectic, and completely reinvigorated with this streetwise collection that features incredible juxtaposing colours and textures.
Launching with a bespoke installation created by London-based artist Gary Card, the exclusive footwear collection will only be available at Colette, one of Paris’s most exciting contemporary retail destinations. Card, a set designer and illustrator, took his inspiration from the ‘Star Chevron’ logo that adorns each shoe, creating a towering sculpture that starts with a star at its base, before unraveling like a yarn of fabric creating angular chevron shapes that protrude in various directions as it climbs to the ceiling. The piece is finished in a stunning monochrome Missoni knit fabric, randomly covering its surfaces with the Italian brand’s iconic zigzag pattern.
Accompanying the project is a hand-numbered hardback book produced in limited quantities, each one bound in the same terracotta canvas that lines every pair in the collection.
Converse First String is a limited-edition collection that celebrates craftsmanship, authenticity and collaboration at the highest level. The Converse Missoni Archive Project Auckland Racer and Pro Leather Mid footwear will be released on 28th September 2012 exclusively at Colette, 213 rue Saint Honoré, Paris. Each one-of-one pair will be available in unisex sizing from US 5 - 12, retailing for €400.
As a follow up to the Converse Missoni Archive Project collection, Converse will also launch the Holiday 2012 Missoni for Converse Auckland Racer that debuted on the Missoni Fall/Winter 2012 runway in Milan. The sneaker will be available from 31st October 2012 at Missoni boutiques and select Converse First String retailers worldwide.
For more information on Colette please visit: www.colette.fr
For more information on Gary Card please visit: www.garycardiology.blogspot.com
About Converse
Converse Inc., based in N. Andover, Massachusetts, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NIKE, Inc. Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as “America’s Original Sports Company”™ and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor® All Star® shoe, the Jack Purcell® shoe and the One Star® shoe. Today, Converse offers a diverse portfolio including men's, women's and children’s footwear, apparel and accessories. Converse product is sold globally by retailers in over 160 countries and through 67 company-owned retail locations in the U.S.
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Press Contacts:
Simon Wainwright
Converse EMEA
+31 (0) 3 56 26 99 29
simon.wainwright@converse.com
Natacha Batoussova
Zmirov Communications
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natacha.batoussova@zmirov.com