Brand: Tremaine Emory x Converse

Model: Chuck ’70 Hi and Ox

Key Features: Both sneakers feature a bold all-over print inspired by Jamaican political activist and Black nationalist Marcus Garvey’s Pan-African flag and artist David Hammons’ “African-American Flag” work from 1990. Considering the current political climate, and that Emory demanded Nike (Converse’s parent company) address its systemic racism before he released this collaborative effort, there is not a shoe in the world that sends a stronger message right now.

Release Date: October 29

Price: $100 and $95

Buy: Converse and select retailers such as Alife and Sneakersnstuff

Editor’s Notes: In the summer, when the Black Lives Matter protests were starting to gain momentum in the United States, Tremaine Emory demanded real change from Converse and Nike before he would allow his collaborative Chuck ’70 to be released.

“They didn't like my box. They didn't want to use the coffin [as the shoe box],” he explained to Highsnobiety. “I told them the coffin represents every black person's plight, that's died since the beginning of slavery to now. And they felt it was offensive to the US military. They even had a problem with me using the flag in general.”

With the sneaker being released tomorrow, October 29, it appears Emory has received assurances from Converse that they are enacting real, systemic change. Finally, the shoe will be released the way Emory intended.

Alife GM Treis Hill took to Instagram to share a note on the release, which you can read below.

If you’re a sneakerhead wanting to make a political statement and support independent black creatives, this is one release you shouldn’t sleep on.

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