Charles Hollis “Chuck” Taylor was an American basketball player and shoe salesman/evangelist best known for coming up with the Chuck Taylor All-Stars sneaker, the most successful selling basketball shoe in history.
From being the preferred shoes of basketball players, and considered an elite basketball shoe, the Chuck Taylor All Star eventually evolved into the shoe of choice for many subcultures such as rockstars, musicians and and a statement brand of sorts for artists.
And since the Converse shoe is literally made of canvass it was all a matter of time for the brand to collaborate with leading Filipino Comic book artists to create unique designs and turn it into an collectible art piece.
Converse Philippines recently held an event at their flagship store at the Glorietta Mall in Makati to launch their in-store customization area “Punk Your Chucks”. Renowned Filipino komik book artists Kajo Baldisimo and Bow Guerrero—of Trese and Dark Colony fame, respectively—were on hand to showcase artwork of their characters donning Converse, and to “live paint” one-of-a-kind pairs of Chuck Taylor All-Star sneakers for their fans.
“Converse has always recognized the inherent creativity of our core market,” said Eli Bonsol, Converse Advertising and Marketing Manager. “Our most iconic sneaker, the Chuck Taylor All-Star, has always embodied this aspect of the brand – the fact that it is literally made of canvas makes it the perfect backdrop to express your own style.”
The tie-up was made under the “Shoes Buy Art, Sneakers Create It” campaign of Converse, that showcases how sneakers can be a natural medium to create wearable art.
For Bow Guerrero, creator and artist of Dark Colony, the bond between Pinoy Komiks and Converse is an intuitive one. “Pinoys love art, and express this love in truly imaginative ways,” he explained. “The timeless, laid-back style of the Converse All-Star really appeals to komiks lovers – not to mention that it is customizable in so many different ways.”
Accordingly, a customization area was set up at the venue, which allowed visitors and Converse enthusiasts to alter their shoes according to their taste. Markers, pens, and even metal studs were on-hand to achieve that perfect punk rock vibe. To cap off the event, ten lucky guests were given the chance to get their Chuck Taylor All-Star sneakers “punk’d” by Guerrero and Baldisimo.
Bonsol said the event was just the beginning of a series to bring the Punk Your Chucks campaign to various Converse stores across the nation and shoe enthusiasts can trick out their Chucks, Cons, or Jack Purcells—or get a new pair from the store.
Check out the punk’d Chucks by the artists of Trese and Dark Colony at the Converse Flagship store at Glorietta near the Landmark entrance. Log on to www.facebook.com/ConversePhilippines for updates on the next event.
