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
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Bastien Renard worked for 19 years at Nike and Converse in Europe and in the U.S.
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The retailer made $1.5 billion in the most recent quarter, with double-digit growth along its digital…
How Michael B. Jordan, GOAT and Converse Use Sneakers to Give Back
Sneakerhead haven GOAT has teamed up with "Black Panther" star Michael B. Jordan on a new charitable…
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A new accelerator program will position youth to drive the progress they wish to see in the world.
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Converse Peels Back the Construction of a Denim Sneaker
By teaming up with U.K.-based vintage retailer Beyond Retro, Converse is giving unwanted jeans a second life…
Converse Reimagines Classic Styles With CX Toolkit
"We see an incredible opportunity to push the boundaries of our own design and product ethos," Converse's…
Footwear Brand Converse Dabbles in Genderless Apparel
The brand that brought the genderless Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker to the market is now tapping into…
Converse to Introduce Genderless Collection for Fall
Called Converse Shapes, the collection was designed for different body shapes rather than genders.
Have Sneaker Collaborations Peaked?
With top luxury fashion houses and sportswear companies collaborating, where do fashion designer-sneaker…
Kate Hudson Chats HappyxNature, Sustainability and Starring in Sia’s Anticipated Film ‘Music’
"We're going to announce it at some point in an interesting way," the actress said of the project, expected…
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…