Last week we enjoyed a day out of the office in sunny Sydney, which in itself was pretty damn enjoyable, but supplement that with a showing of what’s in store for Converse Winter ’14 and it was… well the best Wednesday in a minute. The warehouse space in outer Sydney was converted into a shrine of all things canvas and rubber. A massive US flag comprised of Chucks set the tone for the showing, as did the ample bagels and juice but details aside, it was the product that really shone.
Walking into the first annex, the star of the show was the Chuck Taylor All Star ’70. What at first glance might look like your usual pedestrian Chuck is actually a little piece of history which is enjoying new relevance this season. The Chuck Taylor All Star ’70 returns to market with the first two prints ever released on a Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker, the camouflage and the glow-in-the-dark zebra prints. Crazy right? These prints look so contemporary as if they were designed with today in mind completely. Some things never get old in streetwear… and camo and a loud animal print might just be two of those things. For those less inclined to walk on the wild side, the All Star ’70 will also be available in six core colours – the original six it was released in. Available in both high-top and low-top styles, the sneaker features a reinforced double layered canvas upper and comfort sock liner. The 2014 version plays homage to original with vintage stitching, a wider last made for the male foot and a ‘Player Name’ stamp inside the tongue, just the specs of 1970.
For the ladies the newest take on the Chuck comes in the form of the Chuck Taylor All Star Platform Plus. Yup, Converse has got a platform sneaker too. The all-new silhouette takes the sneaker to new heights adding a feminine touch to a sporty model. With over two inches of a concealed wedge, the Chuck Taylor The Platform Plus also features a coloured marble sole.
The rest of the showing featured an array of new silhouettes from Cons that straddle the worlds of skate and street. In addition to the sneakers, the new lineup of Cons ambassadors were presented and if this is any indication of what’s to come (and well, it is… it’s a showing) you can expect a lot of awesome product and stories coming from the Cons camp.
Similarly the Jack Purcell sub-brand has some eye-wateringly attractive new product on the cards. While I was distracted by the MPC-like sneaker sound apparatus operated by Jack Purcells (don’t ask), there is something about the crisp classic look of the JP that you just can’t take your eyes off. All the product is embaragoed until Feb so I can’t get into details, but let’s just say it’s precisely the details that make the new range so tight. Tortoise shell accents, ooh wee. Count us in.
Check out the space above and hit the Converse site to stay on top of product drops.