Pomellato to Stage Paris Exhibit
Converse
Converse was founded by Massachusetts businessman Marquis Mills Converse. He created the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in February 1908, and on April 30, 1909, debuted the company’s first pair of rubber galoshes. It wasn’t until the mid-1910s that Converse entered the athletic market. To cater to the new but growing sport of basketball, it created the Non-Skid shoe, which in 1919 would be renamed the All-Star and eventually evolve into the Chuck Taylor All-Star (named after one of its most devoted salesmen and ambassadors).
The history of Converse is deeply intertwined with the sport of basketball. By 1955, Chucks were the No. 1 basketball shoe in America and the brand owned 80 percent of the entire sneaker industry. Throughout the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, its sneakers were worn by the majority of pro and college teams, including legendary players like Dr. J, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan (before signing his deal with Nike). Speaking of the Swoosh, Converse was acquired by Nike on Sept. 4, 2003, for $305 million. Though Converse shoes are no longer a staple of basketball courts, they’ve become synonymous with youth culture — and counterculture — worn by artists and musicians across the globe.
Converse
Skechers Claims Victory Over Converse in Chuck Taylor Trademark Battle
Converse lost out in the latest ruling from the USITC regarding a trademark infringement complaint levied at…
Converse’s Second Cold-Weather Collection Blends Form and Function
Converse's second Mountain Club collection blends form and function in creating footwear ready to brave the…
Converse Expands Upcycled Denim Sneaker Collection
Converse adds a multi-colored variation of its Chuck 70 to its Renew Denim Collection crafted from upcycled…
Converse Upcycles Old Jeans Into Sneakers In New Collection
Converse launches Renew Denim line featuring Chuck 70 High and Ox Low sneakers made of upcycled denim.
Converse Launches RENEW Line Aimed at Reducing Fabric Waste and Plastic Pollution
Converse is releasing a new collection of footwear created with recycled materials as a part of a new…
Converse Tests New Waters With Three-Way Women’s Wear Collaboration
Converse will release a rare three-designer collaboration of women's wear as the brand looks to reposition…
Nike Hits Earnings Mark But Investors See Weakness in North American Sales
Nike released its third-quarter earnings on Thursday, leading to a selloff as investors were unimpressed by…
Shuffle Board: Uzell Appointed Converse CEO, Global Brands Names Two New Execs
Nike Inc. named G. Scott Uzzell as president and CEO of Converse, while Global Brands Group announced two key…
Converse Launches Vegan Capsule Line With Cult Faux-Fur Designer
Converse has teamed up with Shrimps designer Hannah Weiland to ply its shoes with motifs from the cult…
A New Ruling Just Reignited Converse’s Infamous Trademark Saga
While most of the 30 companies Converse sued in 2014 chose to settle, Skechers and New Balance fought back.
Digital Drives Nike’s 15 Percent Income Gain to Top $1 Billion in Quarter
Nike Inc. posted strong gains in sales and profits in the first quarter on the strength of marketing…
Converse’s New Collaboration with A$AP Nast Offers Mid-Century Vibes
Hip-hop artist A$AP Nast reveals a new side of himself—mid-century modern furniture collector—in a new…
Tyler, The Creator Recreates Converse One Star
Famed rapper and now Converse One Star collaborator, Tyler, The Creator, debuts a flower-power,’70s-inspired…
JW Anderson & Converse Debut Collaboration at Pitti Uomo
British designer JW Anderson teams up with Converse to create a unisex-collection of the classic All Star…
Michael Jordan’s Sneakers Break Auction Records; Apple Kicks Fall Flat
Michael Jordan continues to break records. The Converse sneakers worn by Jordan during the gold medal game…