Dior’s artistic director and world renowned designer, Kim Jones, has collaborated with Converse on the next holy grail sneaker.
Most people don’t know that designer, Kim Jones, is a certified sneakerhead. According to an interview he did with Designbloom in 2016, he has amassed a collection of over 500 sneakers. This perfectly ties in with his love for street wear and his signature contemporary aesthetic. That’s why it came as no surprise when the designer started collaborating with shoe companies who have a strong presence in the streetwear community.
Last year, Jones reached global success on his first stint as a collaborator for Nike’s Jordan brand. Yes, the heavily Instagrammed Air Dior Jordan is the brain child of Jones– another great example of the designer’s ability to start trends in the digisphere. This year, the prolific designer is set to release a new collection of sneakers and apparel with Converse. Instead of continuing his past work with Dior’s Oblique pattern, Jones has taken a different design perspective with the iconic Converse Chuck 70s.
The Kim Jones x Converse Chuck 70s
Colorways: Black and Egret
The Converse Chuck 70s have been around for quite some time. They came out in the 1970s as a basketball sneaker, but has grown traction over the years as a lifestyle sneaker. The canvas body, ankle patch, and slightly higher rubber foxing are all elements that define the Chucks.
Despite Jones not being a nostalgic person, the designer understands and respects the history of the sneaker. “The design approach for the shoe was very straight forward — taking a classic shoe and then almost encasing it in something to protect it,” says Jones. Rather than deconstructing the sneaker into an entirely different style, he chose to add in a 90s utilitarian twist that preserves the DNA of the Chuck 70s.
The Kim Jones x Converse Streetwear Pieces
Available Garments: Crewneck shirts, T-shirts, Parkas, and Cargo pants.
Functional and sleek streetwear is what can be described of the collection of ready-to-wear garments by Kim Jones for Converse. Additionally, each of the pieces also carry a utilitarian design that perfectly complements the Kim Jones Chucks. However, the difference lies in the color scheme chosen for the pieces.
Instead of using black or egret for the apparel, Jones decides to make use muted shades of army green, navy, red, and white. Overall, the pieces pay homage to the 90s through their classic silhouettes while keeping the brand’s essence intact.
