Converse

Converse is an American footwear company founded in 1908 by Marquis Mills Converse in Malden, Massachusetts. The company initially specialised in rubber footwear designed for practical use during wet and cold weather. In 1917 Converse introduced the All Star basketball shoe, a model that would later become one of the most recognisable sneakers in the history of footwear. Since 2003 the company has been owned by Nike, which acquired Converse as part of its expansion within the global footwear market.

The development of the All Star is closely connected to basketball player Charles H. Taylor, widely known as Chuck Taylor, who began working with the company in the early 1920s. Taylor contributed to the refinement and promotion of the shoe, and his name was later added to the ankle patch of the model. For several decades the Chuck Taylor All Star served as one of the dominant basketball shoes in the United States before gradually transitioning into everyday footwear.

Converse footwear is characterised by a straightforward construction and a consistent design language. Many of the brand’s classic models feature a durable canvas upper combined with a vulcanised rubber sole, a reinforced rubber toe cap and distinctive foxing along the midsole. The simplicity of the design has allowed Converse to maintain a recognisable identity while introducing variations in colour, materials and collaborations.

Today Converse occupies a well established position within the global footwear industry. While the brand continues to develop updated versions of its historic silhouettes, models such as the Chuck Taylor All Star and the One Star remain central to its collections. Through a combination of sports heritage, practical construction and consistent design, Converse maintains a clear presence within both fashion and street culture.