Converse’s Most Iconic Collaborations: From Maison Margiela to the Simpsons
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Converse boasts many impressive collaborations in its lengthy history. From high-fashion houses, like Comme Des Garcon, Rick Owens and Maison Margiela, to beloved cartoon and gaming franchises, the footwear brand has lent its iconic canvas silhouettes to a variety of establishments. These collaborative efforts see the footwear transformed and reinvented, changing both high and low-top silhouettes into something else completely while staying true to the footwear brand’s heritage.
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The mark of a successful collaboration often sees both brands marrying aesthetics, combining instead of becoming a singular unit — an interpolation of sorts. The 115-year-old brand’s many collaborations are often one of its most attractive fascets, appealing to a wider audience, a new generation, by lending its wears to these institutions for a short period to create something unique. With that in mind, FootwearNews is breaking down some of Converse’s most iconic collaborations.
Converse x Kurt Cobain
Release Date: May 2008
The hallowed musician was a big fan of the sneaker brand, having been photographed a myriad of times in busted-up Chuck Taylors. To honor the look of the sneakers Cobain would wear, Converse released a collection of footwear featuring artwork and scribbles borrowed from the musician’s personal notebooks.
Each silhouette featured distressed detailing and scribbled graphics that give the sneakers a lived-in feel. The sneaker collection is still available for purchase on re-sale markers, including The RealReal and StockX.
Converse x Missoni
Release Date: July 2009
Speaking of two brands who have collaborated on multiple occasions, Missoni and Converse might just take the cake. Incorporating the Italian label’s affinity for chevron print, the collaborative high-top Premium Chuck Hi styles featured graphic multicolored print with contrasting white lace-up closures.
The sneakers were unveiled at Missoni’s spring 2010 menswear show. Following the release of these chevron-printed sneakers, the brands would go on to collaborate again in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Each sneaker silhouette featured touches that were uniquely Missoni, giving each sneaker a high-fashion touch.
Converse x Comme Des Garcon PLAY
Release Date: Sept. 2009
Converse’s first-ever collaboration with the sub-division of the iconic Japanese fashion brand took place in 2009. Arguably standing as one of the most iconic collaborations of both brands’ histories, the collection centered around the beloved Chuck Taylor All Star silhouette. Each sneaker included footwear featuring playful heart and eye logos designed by Polish artist Filip Pagowski. The footwear was stripped down and simplified, resulting in a unique rendition of the storied silhouette that would spawn many collaborations after it.
Converse x Blondie
Release Date: April 2010
Converse tapped rock band Blondie in 2010 to create a punk rock footwear collection. Aptly paying homage to the band’s aesthetics, 80s graphics can be incorporated in almost every facet of each shoe.
Some are leopard-printed while others feature neon tones accompanied by striking graphics of Blondie’s lead singer Debbie Harry on the uppers. In total, the collection included two low-top and one high-top styles. Beyond Blondie, Converse has collaborated with a variety of bands and solo acts including The Clash, Kurt Cobain, Tyler The Creator and Big Freedia, just to name a few.
Converse x Nintendo
Release Date: July 2011
In collaboration with Japanese gaming company Nintendo in 2011, Converse created two high-top styles that paid homage to one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises, Super Mario Bros. The collaborative Chuck Taylor All Star Double Uppers feature 8-bit graphics on the uppers, including beloved characters from the franchise, including Mario and Bowser.
The Mario-inspired style features a lighter color palette while the Bowser style features hues of red and black. Both pairs are nostalgic, harkening back to the days of classic gaming. Converse and Nintendo collaborated on many other Super Mario Bros.-inspired silhouettes.
Converse x Maison Margiela
Release Date: May 23, 2014
Bringing another designer brand to the forefront of sneaker culture, Converse collaborated with Maison Margiela in 2013 to bring audiences a unique collection of hand-painted sneakers. Centered around two of Converse’s most iconic silhouettes, the Chuck Taylor All Star Hi and Jack Purcell, the sneakers are painted in all-white, a Margiela design staple.
As the shoe is worn, the white paint will chip, revealing a colorful fabric beneath the wash of white paint. The two sneaker silhouettes are inspired by Margiela’s iconic White Bianchetto Tabi style, which is painted and meant to chip.
Converse x The Simpsons
Release Date: Sept. 2014
A beloved cartoon classic, Converse collaborated with The Simpsons back in 2014 on a variety of unique silhouettes. In celebration of 25 years of the cartoon in Germany, the brand released a “Chuck Taylor All Stars x The Simpsons” collection featuring four shoes, each decorated with graphics pulled from the comics. The collection included two low-top and two high-top sneakers featuring the likes of Maggie, Bart, Lisa, Marge and Homer along with a few other niche The Simpsons characters that only real fans will notice.
Converse x Andy Warhol
Release Date: Feb. 2015
2015 saw Converse collaborate with one of the world’s most iconic artists, Andy Warhol. The collection featured a range of silhouettes, including classic low-top and high-top styles with polarizing sneaker wedges. Each silhouette pays homage to the artist by incorporating his most famous Pop art motifs on the sneaker’s uppers, offering the footwear a graphic touch. Tomato soup cans and newspaper clippings litter the facade of each sneaker, making for a striking addition to any wardrobe.
Converse x Golf Le Fleur
Release Date: Aug. 3, 2017
Fixed around Converse’s One Star sneaker, Tyler The Creator imbued his affinity for bold prints and vibrant colors into the collaboration. The sneaker collaboration was cast in pastels including peach, purple, light blue and yellow colorways perfect for the summer season.
Launched in tandem with the musician’s highly successful “Flower Boy” album, the sneakers include custom stitching made to look like flowers, co-branding on the tongues and insoles, the words “Don’t Let Em Kill Your Flowers, Water Your Garden and Stunt” above the outsoles. Bees decorate the heel of each sneaker, a motif beloved by the rapper.
Converse x JW Anderson
Release Date: May 9, 2019
Converse has collaborated with the UK fashion label on multiple occasions, subsequently bridging the gap between high fashion and skate culture. The collaborative effort centered around the Chuck 70 and Run Stark Hike silhouettes cast in tri-colored colorways. The Chuck 70 features textural fuzzy laces while the Run Stark Hike’s laces are neutral and white. Both styles are covered in high-shine glitter, giving the silhouettes a whimsical touch.
Converse x Feng Chen Wang
Release Date: Oct. 22, 2020
In collaboration with Chinese-born London-based menswear designer Feng Chen Wang, Converse dropped a Chuck 70 “2-in-1” pack inspired by the DIY deconstruction aesthetic. Giving the sneaker an artistic approach, the high-top style was deconstructed and crafted with extra layers on the sides, soles and back of each sneaker.
Small gaps appear throughout the sneaker, showing off the intersection between the two fixed-together silhouettes, creating an abrupt contrasting look. The sneaker was released in black and white and orange and cream hues, further playing into the theme of contrast. The London-based brand’s logo is seen printed on the sneaker’s laces and in co-branding on the sneaker.
Converse x Carhartt
Release Date: Feb. 4, 2021
Another frequent partner, Carhartt’s collaboration with Converse centered around the Chuck 70 high-top silhouette. Inspired by Carhartt’s affinity for workwear silhouettes, the sneakers come in neutral and versatile “Hamilton Brown” and “Covert Green” colorways. One is a tonal light brown while the other is crafted of neutral-toned camo uppers. Each high-top style includes sleek and simple co-branding, lace-up closures and thick and sturdy rubber soles fitted with non-slip tread.
Converse x Telfar
Release Date: July 6, 2021
Telfar put a fresh spin on some of Converse’s beloved models for their 2021 collaboration. The subsequent effort featured slides, slip-on sneakers and Mary Janes featuring embossed Telfar branding mixed in with striking star detailing and co-branded graphics. The collection also included a variety of apparel including tank tops, hoodies, shorts and t-shirts. Beyond Converse, Telfar has also collaborated a multitude of times with Ugg, making equally groundbreaking styles.
Converse x Moncler x Fragment
Release Date: July 15, 2021
Marrying the worlds of luxury and skateboarding style, Converse and Moncler came together to create the “Fraylor III” sneaker. Coming in neutral indigo and black colorways, the sneaker features striking co-branded detailing in black throughout the silhouette, accompanied by breathable cotton canvas, lace-up closures and updated toecaps and soles.
Converse x Rick Owens DRKSHDW
Release Date: May 16, 2023
Converse and Rick Owens have collaborated a myriad of times, creating unique and interesting silhouettes that redefine the definition of sneakers. Most recently, both institutions released a hot pink TURBODRK Chuck 70 Laceles high-top sneaker that went viral for its laceless construction.
Crafted with 100% premium cotton canvas, the sneaker features a stretchy and secure internal construction that helps the shoe stay in place. Co-branding can be found all throughout the shoe’s silhouette along with striking squared-off rubber toes.
About the Author
Amina Ayoud is an Assistant Digital Editor for Footwear News, where she writes stories about everything from celebrity style to breaking fashion and shoe releases. Ayoud cultivated a love of all things fashion early in life thanks to a deep love of fashion history and the luxury industry. In her free time, Ayoud is a self-proclaimed fashion nerd and thriftaholic.
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