Converse breathes new life into iconic design
09/03/2017
It is the second time in two years that the Nike-owned company had made changes to the iconic model in an attempt to introduce it to the younger generation. In 2015, it launched the Chuck Taylor II, which marked the first time the product had undergone any significant designs changes in its hundred-year history. It was met with a largely underwhelming response from consumers, who preferred the original design. Converse has decided that a much wider overhaul was required on this occasion to stimulate public interest.
Throughout Spring and Summer 2017, it is gradually releasing six different styles of the revamped model, which it has called Chuck Modern.
The first of these, unveiled in February, was the Chuck Modern Leather Lux, a premium version of the shoe. It saw a move away from some of the shoe’s classic features, including contrast stitching, a rubber toe box and the circular Converse logo. In its place came monochromatic colour ways (white and black), a supple leather upper and leather laces, which replaced the traditional cloth ones.
It was followed by the Chuck Modern East v West (pictured), which takes its inspiration from the shoe’s basketball heritage. Converse said that a reflective backed mesh on the upper gives it “standout style and eye-catching pop”.
Next came the Chuck Modern Colors, inspired by the Chuck Taylor All Star colours that Converse released in the 1970s. It said the shoe’s two-layer mesh upper gives “depth and dimension”. It is available in black, navy, olive, ash grey and deep Bordeaux.
The most recent addition was the Chuck Modern Future Canvas. Although it has a canvas upper, the finish applied to it gives it the appearance of suede. Converse said the material can take on any colour that has been used in the history of the Chuck Taylor. Its initial release saw limited colour options but Converse believes it “opens up potential to the next generation of Chuck Taylor”, suggesting that a customisation option may be on offer in the future.
Image courtesy of Nike/Converse.
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