NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (November 29, 2012) – Today, Converse Inc. announces the launch of the Holiday 2012 Converse x Kevin Lyons Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker for colette. An artist, designer and typographer, Kevin Lyons is globally recognized for his unique “monster” characters and illustrations. Using the classic Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker as a canvas, Lyons fuses his characteristic style with Converse, creating a limited edition sneaker available exclusively at the colette boutique in Paris.
“Like Kevin Lyons incredible artwork, the Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker is an original, and has been connected with artists for decades, says Penny Ericson, Vice President, Converse Jack Purcell and Premium. “Cnverse and colette have long been fans of Kevin Lyons and felt his distinctive work was the perfect match for both brands.”
Internationally renowned, Lyons’ work has graced hundreds of galleries and magazines across the globe and has been featured in collaborative products ranging from t-shirts to skate boards. His illustrations have long been a favorite of, and often featured at colette, the Parisian boutique with a cult-following that specializes in unique, luxurious and inspiring fashion. Today, New York City based Lyons operates a premier street-style clothing label called Natural Born.
“The Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker is the perfect blank canvas,”says Kevin Lyons. “I always noticed that Sarah Colette rocked Chucks every day and she has always been a huge supporter of me and the art I create. Therefore, the collaboration only seemed natural.”
Leaving the silhouette of the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker intact and original, Lyons’ version of the sneaker includes his signature Monster drawings applied in colette’s signature blue across the sneaker’s white canvas uppers. With the words “colette” and “Converse” appearing in the monster’s mouths, the characters rally and party across both sides of the sneakers. Rounding out the design, blue graces the sneaker’s logo patch, rubber racing stripes and outsole, and interchangeable blue laces.
Converse First String is a limited-edition collection that celebrates craftsmanship, authenticity and collaboration at the highest level. Only 125 pairs of the Kevin Lyons for Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoes will be available, beginning on December 10, 2012 at colette in Paris. All shoes will retail for a MSRP of $90 and will be available in unisex sizing 3 – 13.
About Converse
Converse Inc., based in N. Andover, Massachusetts, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NIKE, Inc. Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as “America’s Original Sports Company”™ and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor® All Star® shoe, the Jack Purcell® shoe and the One Star® shoe. Today, Converse offers a diverse portfolio including premium lifestyle men’s and women’s footwear and apparel. Converse product is sold globally by retailers in over 160 countries and through 67 company-owned retail locations in the U.S. For more information, visit Converse on the web at www.converse.com.
Source: Nike, Inc.
