Converse Shoes
Though having been owned by the onetime arch-rivals Nike, Converse shoes never lost their identity amongst younger, aggressive generations. Famous for their mega-hit product – Chuck Taylor All Stars basketball shoes, Converse has ruled the market of rubber soled canvas shoes for over 20years, the golden-era being the 1950s and 60s.
History of Converse shoes started in 1908, when Marquis M. Converse formed the Converse Rubber Shoe Company, in Malden , Massachusetts . The Converse All Star Basketball shoes were launched in 1917 & in 1923 it had the signature of Charles H. “Chuck” Taylor, a basketball player, & once sales-personnel for Converse shoes. Initially, the “Chucks”, as it is abbreviated, were found only in black and whites; later on, under pressure from consumers, especially, basketball teams, other colors were introduced from 1966. Different styles of Converse shoes, like, low-cuts, high-tops and later on knee-high models were introduced. From 1970s, other materials, were introduced, like, leather, vinyl, denim etc. These variations were probably results of competitions with newer brands like, Nike, Adidas etc. In 1986, Converse released “The Weapon” basketball shoes, which were available in different colors matching basketball teams; it had a heavily padded leather outfit.
Extremely popular in the American Punk rock and Indie-pop scenes, Converse shoes have always attracted celebrity attention; celebrities, like Kurt Cobain from NIRVANA, Britney Spears, and many more. Converse shoes have recently again drawn attention, thanks to new generation star Daniel Radcliff, who uses it in HARRY POTTER movies & also Sylvester Stallone in Rocky Balboa.
