2024’s 15 minutes of fame is finally up. Still, with it came the emergence of pop music’s new holy trinity (XCX, Carpenter, and Roan), fashion’s high-profile game of musical chairs, a rap beef to define the internet age, and enough “memorable” moments—meme-worthy or otherwise—to get us through the next 365 days.

While I’m sure we can all look back on the last 12 months and pull out plenty of pluses, there’s no denying that some tallied up a few more W’s than others—there’s always next year, right, champ? Among the short list of lauded names to come out on top in 2024, Converse is situated comfortably in the mix of year-end standouts that captured our attention for 52 weeks. 

Enduring culture’s (at-times exhausting) cyclical system for over a century, the classic sneaker brand has repeatedly discovered ways to excite the masses, creating a sure-fire formula for continued staying power from one generation to the next. From punks and pop stars to auteurs and athletes, the original All-Star just knows ball, seamlessly slotting itself in always at the right time and place, and with some of the most distinguished figures in their respective genres, let’s not forget. 

As we bid farewell to 2024 (and yes, unfortunately, that does mean brat summer has, in fact, concluded), let’s review some of Converse’s best moments from this recent revolution.

Martine Ali Chuck 70 XXHi

It’s the rock-n-roll of it all that makes Martine Ali and Converse such a fun pairing. Now a frequent Converse collaborator, Ali’s characteristic punk-adjacent presentation makes the iconic Chuck Taylor XXHi’s the perfect canvas for her next masterpiece. 

A sneaker inextricably tied to the image of legendary rockers from the ‘70s and ‘80s, the polarizing thigh-high silhouette gets an updated look, highlighting the eccentric energy of the time…with a bit more flair than before. A few straps here, a buckle or two there, and boom, Converse x Martine Ali arrives as the freakiest shoe we’ve seen all year, and well, maybe ever. It’s all good, though; we don’t judge around here. 

SGA Named Creative Director of Converse Basketball

Few people rival the effortless panache that radiates from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. A smooth operator on and off the court, the NBA’s newly-crowned style savant is a hot commodity redefining the relationship between sport and fashion. 

Now, as the face of Converse Basketball, SGA follows in the footsteps of countless NBA legends, bringing a bit of that Gen-Z aura to a historic brand. With the looming release of a signature shoe this coming year, the Gilgeous-Alexander x Converse crossover is a match made in hoops heaven, blending “the now” with “the timeless.” 

Rick Owens DBL DRKSTAR Chuck 70

Like clockwork, fashion’s Lord of Darkness returns to drop off another ominous iteration of the Chuck 70 sneaker. Following 2023’s double-decker installment into the DRKSTAR series, 2024’s version feels like the undead summoning of its predecessor.  

Initially arriving as an amplified version of the seminal sneaker, Owens’ DBL DRKSTAR Chuck 70 didn’t stray far from the original design, opting for a more exaggerated aesthetic rather than entirely avant-garde. This time, high fashion’s agent of anarchy turned things up just a bit more, producing a run of Chuck 70s that look pre-distressed, tattered, and worn. 

Are they a result of an occult seance or simply a figment of Owens’ enigmatic imagination? The answer is “yes,” and it's all part of the Rick Owens anomaly. Don’t ask any more questions

Charli brat-ifies Converse

Alright, one more time for brat summer and all its glory. 

Undoubtedly, Charli XCX was the global phenomenon that captivated our hearts, minds, and FYPs in the latter half of 2024. Thanks to her prolific 15-song body of work (succeeded by a 17-song deluxe that was completely different but also the same), she held the culture in the palm of her beautiful, bratty hand. Turning everything she touched into lime-green-tinted gold, the British pop star ascended to become one of the most influential people on the planet in 2024.  

As part of her curtain call on a career-altering year, Charli popped up as Converse’s latest ambassador back in October, bringing that edgy, it-girl energy to a time-honored image. Starring in the brand’s holiday campaign, dubbed “Love, Charli,” the original 3-6-5 party girl expressed a longstanding love for her Chuck Taylors—put simply, “they’re iconic.” 

Converse, you know what’s next. Make the shoes green, and everyone wins.

Converse Takes Camp Flog Gnaw

As the final tentpole moment to cap off an eventful 2024, Converse teamed up with Tyler, the Creator, to host the most viral Camp Flog Gnaw music festival to date. 

On the heels of Tyler’s highly-anticipated Chromakopia record, the alluringly eccentric artist and Converse rounded up the best and brightest music has to offer for a two-day showcase of pure rhythmic ecstasy. Flocking to Dodger Stadium for the second year in a row, zealous diehards, many decked out in the various flavors of Converse x Le FLEUR* collabs, gathered from far and wide to experience once-in-a-lifetime performances from the past, present, and future of sound. 

With the festival grounds marked by an inflatable Airedale Terrier chewing on a giant Chuck Taylor, fans witnessed everything from Doechii’s daring on-stage delivery to Andre 3000’s ethereal euphonies. Each unforgettable set feeding into a monumental performance from the master orchestrator himself. 

Not too bad for a weird kid from SoCal, huh?

Discover more of 2024's best Converse moments below.