Converse, founded in 1908, is famous for its All Star basketball shoe. The brand offers footwear, apparel, and accessories.
Converse brand was founded in 1905 and has become an iconic name in the footwear industry with a strong connection to basketball and various subcultures.
Converse was founded in 1908 and has become a popular footwear brand worn by millions of people worldwide.
In the summer of 1916, Converse established its basketball line, which later led to the introduction of the Converse All-Star basketball shoe in 1917. The All-Star became popular during World War 1 and the Spanish flu.
The iconic Converse All-Star Sneaker was introduced in 1917, marking a significant milestone in the footwear industry. It became a popular choice for people looking for stylish and comfortable shoes.
Charles Hollis Taylor requested Converse to create a better basketball sneaker, leading to the introduction of the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star with added support and flexibility.
Chuck Taylor's significant contributions to Converse led to his name being imprinted on the All-Star logo. This recognition symbolized his impact on the brand and the basketball community.
In 1932, Converse made a significant change to the classic design by adding Chuck Taylor's name to the famous ankle patch detail, leading to the creation of the 'Chuck Taylor All Star'.
Converse All Stars were designated as the official shoe for the Olympics from 1936 to 1968, showcasing their popularity and recognition in the sports world.
In 1941, when the U.S. entered World War II, Converse shifted its production to manufacturing rubberized footwear, outerwear, and protective suits for the military.
In 1946, the formation of the NBA saw the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star in white and black variations becoming the go-to shoe for professional, college, and high school basketball players.
In 1949, after World War II, Converse designed the black-and-white high-top model, which became popular among basketball players from the NBA to college and high school teams.
In 1957, following the success of the high-top Converse shoes, the company introduced the 'Oxford' model, a low-top version of the iconic style. This new model was designed for everyday wear and leisure activities, appealing to a wide range of consumers.
On March 2, 1962, center Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors scored 100 points in an NBA game while wearing a pair of Converse All-Stars, achieving a victory over the New York Knicks.
After Converse's decline, Nike and other companies emerged as dominant forces in the basketball shoe industry, introducing advanced technologies and stylish designs.
In 1972, Converse was acquired by the Eltra Corporation, leading to diversification into manufacturing sporting goods and industrial products.
Converse launched the 'One Star' in 1974, known for basketball and basketball performance.
Converse launched the 'Pro Leather' in 1976, known for basketball and basketball performance.
After disappearing from professional basketball, Chuck Taylor All-Stars remained popular in casual fashion and popular culture. They were associated with various subcultures and iconic figures like James Dean, Andy Warhol, Kurt Cobain, and Karl Lagerfeld.
During his college basketball career, Michael Jordan favored Converse basketball shoes. Despite later creating the iconic Air Jordan line, he initially hesitated to move away from Converse sneakers before signing with Nike as an NBA rookie.
In October 1986, Converse was acquired by Interco Incorporated, eventually being spun off in 1994.
Converse's unique style appealed to sub-cultures like grunge and hip-hop, worn by musicians such as Kurt Cobain and Ice Cube. The brand focused more on fashion than practicality, leading to a decline in sales.
By the end of the millennium, Converse had sold over 600 million pairs of All Stars, becoming one of the world's most popular sneakers.
Converse declared bankruptcy on January 22, 2001.
On March 30, 2001, Converse's final manufacturing facilities in the United States shut down as production shifted entirely overseas.
Nike acquired Converse in July 2003 for $309 million.
Will Smith's character in the movie 'I, Robot' wears a pair of All Stars, described as 'vintage 2004'.
Converse collaborated with Gap on a special edition sneaker for the (PRODUCT) RED charity campaign focusing on the AIDS crisis in Africa.
Starting in July 2008, Converse issued around 180 cease-and-desist letters to companies allegedly infringing on their Chuck Taylor All Star trademark.
In 2009, Converse collaborated with the fashion label Comme des Garçons PLAY to create a unique collection of sneakers.
In February 2010, Converse launched the '1Hund (RED)' collection, with profits supporting HIV/AIDS prevention efforts. Professional skateboarder Anthony Pappalardo also released a special edition skate shoe model.
Converse launched a studio in Brooklyn and made a presence at the SXSW music festival.
The Converse Rubber Tracks Studio started accepting applications from up-and-coming artists to record their music.
In August 2012, Converse sponsored a skate event at Huntington Beach, California, U.S. where skateboarders like Ben Raybourn and Aaron Homoki competed for prizes.
In January 2013, Converse revealed intentions for a new headquarters building near North Station in downtown Boston.
As of July 2014, the Cons skateboard team expanded to include new members like Julian Davidson and Sage Elsesser, with Zered Basset filming a promotional advertisement in New York City.
In October 2014, Converse sued 30 companies for copying elements of their sneaker style, including the bumper toe, striped midsole, and toe cap.
On July 28, 2015, Converse launched the Chuck Taylor All Star II, which had significant design differences from the standard modern version. It featured enhancements like thicker canvas, Lunarlon cushioning, and a two-piece rubber bottom sole.
Converse provided free recording sessions to artists in Nashville, supporting the local music scene.
Converse announced the winners of the Nashville Rubber Tracks competition, showcasing talented musicians.
On June 23, 2016, the International Trade Commission ruled that Converse's alleged trade dress for the midsole design was not entitled to trademark protection under common law. The case was later appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which remanded the case and ruled that Converse's trade dress was protectable but not infringed.
Converse brought back the Fastbreak and collaborated with brands like KITH and artists like Tyler, the Creator for special editions.
Converse collaborated with MADNESS and rapper Vince Staples, also releasing a '70s Vintage collection.
Converse collaborated with Carhartt WIP on military-inspired Chuck '70s and Goretex Pack, among other releases.
During the 2020 campaign with Joe Biden, Kamala Harris made a fashion statement by wearing Chuck Taylors instead of high heels at public appearances.
Converse has achieved a significant milestone by generating over $2.3 billion in revenue, showcasing its strong presence in the market.
Gilgeous-Alexander became the new face of Converse, and the shoe 'Chase the Drip' was released on September 13, 2022.
In May 2023, Jared Carver was appointed as the new president and CEO of Converse.
In February 2024, Converse and Phaidon collaborated to release a book titled 'Skateboard' chronicling the history of skateboarding, curated by designer and skater Jonathan Olivares.