We’re not sure if you remember but 10 years ago, almost everyone was wearing white Converse shoes to school. If they weren’t wearing Converse, they were wearing shoes that looked a lot like it. People were doodling and drawing on their classic white shoes while others actually set up small businesses that provided hand painting services. Everyone knows what Chucks are – the iconic kicks that go with anything and everything. They are simple yet fashionable and stand the test of time – the perfect timeless fashion piece in everyone’s closet.
We may not be able to tell the difference between a pair of Chuck 70s and a pair of Chuck Taylor All Stars but the former is a reinforced vintage version of the original Converse design. The Chuck 70s provide extra stability due to a higher siding and a thicker sole unit made from a single slab of denser rubber that is moulded with deeper dashes for better traction on the court. It also has a thicker canvas and a cushy foam insole for ultimate comfort and dynamic fit.
Converse Chuck Taylor All StarsThese slight but significant modifications to the classic Chuck Taylor All Stars make the Chuck 70s THE shoe for both the streets and the court. No wonder Louis Vuitton’s newest Artistic Director for Menswear, Virgil Abloh, crowns this as his go-to shoe.
Even if we don’t play ball, most of us adore Converse sneakers for their simplicity and versatility. When we think of sneakers, they are the first to pop into our minds. This year, Converse has challenged young designers at LASALLE College of The Arts to redesign and revamp the shoe in their own way for Lasalle’s graduation fashion show, called The Fold.
The 8 graduating design students weaved the versatile sneakers into their collection, from sewing embellishments and glueing fur onto the sneakers to painting and even recreating an entire shoe to tie them in with the designs from their collections.
One of the designers, Nitya Anand, used an Indian textile called Ikat as the main textile in her designs, combining her love for 90’s hip hop and the contrasting Indian culture into her collection. She transformed a pair of Chuck Taylor All Star High Tops into a pair of street chic knee-high boots fit for any fierce fashionista.
Another alluring collection to look out for is GIN OUKAM by Azra Syakirah. The menswear collection is inspired by the perfect imperfections of silver and werewolves, fusing them together in this single collection through the use of fades from dark to silver and fur elements on her revamped Chuck Taylor All Stars.
Despite differences in interest areas, inspirations and style, all of the designers could easily fit the Chuck Taylor All Stars into their individual styles. Whether they preferred to pair them with midi dresses, shorts, jeans or matched their clothes to their Chucks instead of the other way around, they credited the shoe’s simplicity to its versatility and timelessness.
No wonder these sneakers were a must-have for students a decade ago and still remains an iconic silhouette for people, till today. The Lasalle designers have revamped the trusty Chucks and created innovative silhouettes that are refreshing to look at but still hint at the classic sneakers that we know of. This just goes to show that Chuck Taylors are versatile and will continue to withstand the test of time. We’re sure our children and grandchildren will still be rocking these shoes, wherever and whenever.
LASALLE’s graduation fashion show, The Fold will take place at LASALLE, on 3 May. Unfortunately, the event is by-invite-only, so you’ll only be able to catch the revamped Chuck Taylor All Stars on the runway, as well as all of the full collections by the designers if you’re a friend or family member. However, there will be a public exhibition showcase at LASALLE, opening on 17 May, Thursday, 7pm and will be open daily from 12pm – 8pm, until 30 May, Wednesday, so you’ll still get a chance to view and support the whole graduating cohort’s collection pieces.
LASALLE College of The Arts Graduation Fashion Show, The Fold
3 May, Thursday
3pm
LASALLE College of The Arts
LASALLE College of The Arts Graduating Cohort Public Exhibition Showcase
Opening on 17 May, Thursday, 7pm
18 – 30 May, 12pm – 8pm
LASALLE College of The Arts
Images: Converse
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