Converse

Converse was founded in 1908 by Marquis Mills Converse in Malden, Massachusetts, as the Converse Rubber Shoe Company, initially producing winterized rubber-soled footwear. The brand's destiny changed forever in 1917 with the introduction of the All Star, the world's first basketball shoe. The shoe was a canvas high-top with a rubber toe cap, designed specifically for the fast-growing sport. In 1921, Charles "Chuck" Taylor — a basketball player from Indiana — walked into Converse's Chicago office complaining of sore feet and was hired as a salesman and brand ambassador. Taylor traveled across America teaching basketball clinics and selling All Stars, and in 1932 his signature was added to the ankle patch, creating the Chuck Taylor All Star — a shoe that has sold over one billion pairs and counting.

The Chuck Taylor All Star dominated basketball for over 50 years, worn by every professional and college player including Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Julius Erving. The shoe transcended sport in the post-war era, adopted by musicians, artists, and counterculture movements — from James Dean and Elvis Presley to the Ramones and Kurt Cobain. The Jack Purcell (named after the Canadian badminton champion), One Star, and Weapon models each carved their own cultural niches. Nike acquired Converse in 2003 for $305 million, injecting new design resources while preserving the brand's heritage.

Under Nike, Converse has balanced heritage and innovation. The Chuck 70 — an upgraded version of the classic with better materials and construction — has become the premium standard, while the Chuck Taylor All Star remains one of the bestselling shoes of all time. Collaborations with Comme des Garçons, Tyler the Creator (Golf le Fleur), Fear of God Essentials, and A-COLD-WALL* have kept the century-old brand relevant in contemporary fashion. Converse's place in culture is singular: no other shoe has been worn by athletes, rock stars, punks, artists, and fashion icons with equal authenticity.