Joshua Vides Transforms Converse Into a Paint-Splattered Art Piece
This isn't Joshua Vides' first rodeo with Converse, he previously created sneakers with MA®KET and MCA Chicago, however, this is his first standalone capsule with the footwear giant. And to mark the occasion, the LA-based creative produced a personal collection inspired by his artistic practice.
Looking at the materials and processes that go into his work, Vides references these everyday tools and combines them with Converse's heritage. The result is basketball-ready sneakers with added measuring tape laces and paint splatters. Perfect for the court or the studio.
Those familiar with Vides' work will be unsurprised to learn that this collection comes in his signature monochrome color palette, something we've seen everywhere from the pair of Air Force 1's that first put the artist on our radar five years ago to a BMW X4 and a Las Vegas wedding venue.
The sneaker selection in this drop includes a mixture of Converse's past and present silhouettes, with those being a: Chuck 70 Hi, Weapon CX Hi, and Pro Leather OX.
While the Weapon and Pro Leather are refitted with clear panels, measuring tape laces, and duct tape-style leather, it is Converse's signature sneaker silhouette that has been given the most obvious rebrand. For the Chuck 70, its black canvas upper is decorated with white 3-D polka dots and then covered by a Tyvek shroud that hides this detailing under its zipped upper. Drawing from the suit Vides wears while painting, the zipped all-white covering gives a shoe that has a history dating back to 1917 a futuristic-looking twist.
Accompanying this footwear collection is a range of matching garments and a bag that come together to form a uniform focused on utility. A matching hoodie and pants set both include protruding pockets crafted from recycled nylon while a basketball bag boasts 10 side-body pockets.
Check out the collection lookbook in the gallery above and scroll down to shop the full drop.
