Kim Jones x Converse Is Better Than Kim Jones x Nike, Here’s Why
Brand: Kim Jones x Converse
Model: Chuck 70
Release Date: April 8
Price: $160
Buy: Highsnobiety Shop
What We’re Saying: When Converse announced its lineup of 2021 collaborators, there were a few names that immediately raised eyebrows. Kim Jones, along with Off-White™, Tyler, the Creator, and Telfar, were among the most anticipated collaborations. Jones, now at Dior men’s and Fendi women’s and previously at Louis Vuitton, has arguably been the fashion designer of the past several years.
He brought Supreme to Louis Vuitton in 2017 and Shawn Stussy and Jordan Brand to Dior last year. If there’s anyone that knows their way around a collaboration — sneaker or otherwise — it’s Kim.
The rockstar designer’s latest collaboration sees him take on the iconic Converse Chuck 70, giving the sneaker a ’90s-inspired makeover in two classic colorways — black with white detailing and all-white.
In stark contrast to his slightly disappointing Nike Air Max 95 collaboration — which is still sitting in stores in full size runs — Jones is given the license to rework the original Chuck 70 slightly. The result is a shoe that looks new and different, but one that isn’t unrecognizable, with its base design still very much part of the aesthetic.
Jones adds a second layer to the Chuck’s signature sole unit, creating a wavey much more robust aesthetic. The upper of the shoe looks like it has been dropped into the larger sole unit, while a transparent TPU cage wraps from the quarter panel of the sneaker around the heel, giving the canvas upper more structure and stability.
The Kim Jones x Converse Chuck 70 is very much in line with what J.W. Anderson. Yoon Ahn of AMBUSH, and A-COLD-WALL* have done in elevating a classic, while remaining true to its roots. That is exactly why Kim Jones x Converse is better than Kim Jones x Nike, where the designer had to leave the design of the shoe intact, while just changing up colors, materials, and graphics.
Highsnobiety Shop will be stocking Kim Jones x Converse come April 8th. In the meantime, shop a selection of Converse sneakers below.
Shop Converse at Highsnobiety Here
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