THE STORY OF CONVERSE

For 115+ years, we’ve been building a future that celebrates
originality and defies conformity. Here’s our story.
Keep creating yours.

IT ALL
STARTS HERE

 

The Converse Rubber Company opens in
Malden, MA under founder Marquis Mills.

1909

 

A BOOT BEGINNING

Ten rubber galoshes, Converse’s first products, were produced on April 30, 1909.

1910

 

CREATED WITH CANVAS

Innovations for galoshes and tires make them wear evenly and last longer. The brand begins producing canvas footwear to retain employees during the summer.

1913

 

NAUTICAL ROOTS

Convese introduces its first yachting shoe, that bears a striking resemblance to a modern Circular Vamp Oxford.

1917

 

NON-SKID NOW

The All Star gets its start under the name Non-Skid. It was one of the first shoes specifically designed for the new game of basketball.

1919

 

MEET THE ALL STAR

Basketball coaches ask for the Non-Skid in dark canvas to help hide signs of wear. Converse releases the Non-Skid in brown canvas and names it, The All Star.

THE STORY OF CONVERSE

For 115+ years, we’ve been building a future that celebrates originality and defies conformity. Here’s our story. Keep creating yours.

IT ALL STARTS HERE

The Converse Rubber Company opens in Malden, MA under founder Marquis Mills.

1909

 

A BOOT BEGINNING

Ten rubber galoshes, Converse’s first products, were produced on April 30, 1909.

1910

 

CREATED WITH CANVAS

Innovations for galoshes and tires make them wear evenly and last longer. The brand begins producing canvas footwear to retain employees during the summer.

1913

 

NAUTICAL ROOTS

Convese introduces its first yachting shoe, that bears a striking resemblance to a modern Circular Vamp Oxford.

1917

 

NON-SKID NOW

The All Star gets its start under the name Non-Skid. It was one of the first shoes specifically designed for the new game of basketball.

1919

 

MEET THE ALL STAR

Basketball coaches ask for the Non-Skid in darker canvas to hide signs of wear. Converse releases the Non-Skid in brown canvas and names it, The All Star.

1922

 

CALLING CHUCK TAYLOR

Charles H. “Chuck” Taylor joins the Converse family as a salesman. He travels across the U.S. promoting the brand as a player and coach for the company’s basketball team, the Converse All Stars.

1924

 

SPONSORS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM

Converse sponsors the Edmonton Grads team, who held the title of women’s basketball world champions from 1923-1940 with a 502-20 record.

1933

 

JACK PURCELL JOINS

Jack Purcell collaborates with B.F. Goodrich on a badminton shoe, releasing the Jack Purcell. Decades later, it would become a popular style of casual footwear and Converse would purchase its rights in 1972.

1934

 

SIGNED BY CHUCK

Chuck Taylor’s signature is added to the All Star, creating the original signature basketball shoe.

1936

 

NEW COLORS,
NEW SPONSORSHIP

Converse sponsors the first U.S. Men's Basketball Team in the Olympics, creating a new colorway of the All Star—white canvas, with red and blue pinstripes. This goes on to become the All Star we know today.

1939

 

NCAA ALL STAR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Both teams competing in the first ever NCAA championship basketball game are wearing All Stars.

1945

 

CONTRACTS FOR THE CAUSE

Converse completes over 50 military contracts throughout WWII, making everything from basketball shoes to deck jackets.

1957

 

INTRODUCES THE
LOW TOP

Converse introduces the low top. The shoe took off in California where they were a favorite of male beach-goers, despite its performance sales plateauing elsewhere.

1922

 

CALLING CHUCK TAYLOR

Charles H. "Chuck" Taylor joins the Converse family as a salesman. He travels across the U.S. promoting the brand as a player and coach for the company’s basketball team, the Converse All Stars.

1924

 

SPONSORS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

Converse sponsors the Edmonton Grads team, who held the title of women’s basketball world champions from 1923-1940 with a 502-20 record.

1933

 

JACK PURCELL JOINS

Jack Purcell collaborates with B.F. Goodrich on a badminton shoe, releasing the Jack Purcell. Decades later, it would become a popular style of casual footwear and Converse would purchase its rights in 1972.

1934

 

SIGNED BY CHUCK

Chuck Taylor’s signature is added to the All Star, creating the original signature basketball shoe.

1936

 

NEW COLORS,
NEW SPONSORSHIP

Converse sponsors the first U.S. Men's Basketball Team in the Olympics, creating a new colorway of the All Star—white canvas, with red and blue pinstripes. This goes on to become the All Star we know today.

1939

 

NCAA ALL STAR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Both teams competing in the first ever NCAA championship basketball game are wearing All Stars.

1945

 

CONTRACTS FOR THE CAUSE

Converse completes over 50 military contracts throughout WWII, making everything from basketball shoes to deck jackets.

1957

 

INTRODUCES THE
LOW TOP

Converse introduces the low top. The shoe took off in California where they were a favorite of male beach-goers.

1971

 

MORE ALL STAR COLORS

Converse adds five colors to the All Star.

1971

 

NUMBER ONE STAR

The brand also introduces the One Star, which becomes the choice shoe for skateboarders. The re-introduction of the One Star in 1993 signals Converse’s long-term investment in skate culture.

1971

 

NAUT-1

Converse’s history in boating shoes goes back to at least 1950 and it’s CVO history goes back to 1910 with its first tennis shoes. The Naut-1 continued both ideas when it was introduced in 1971 in navy and white colorways.

1975

 

A YEAR OF FIRSTS

Converse introduces the Star Chevron logo, releases its first performance and running shoe, the All Star Training Shoe, and its first two graphic t-shirts.

1976

 

COACH JOGGER

Converse expanded the Coach line to include models for sports other than basketball, and released the Coach Jogger.

1976

 

FIRST FEMALE ATHLETE ENDORSEMENT

Chris Evert becomes the first female athlete to sign an individual endorsement deal with Converse. She would remain sponsored by Converse throughout the rest of her career and would release numerous performance and casual shoes alongside the brand under her name.

1976

 

PRESENTING:
PRO LEATHER

The Pro Leather succeeds the Leather All Star as Converse’s pinnacle performance basketball shoe, becoming one of Converse’s most classic basketball shoes.

1982

 

BIOMECHANICAL

Converse establishes one of the industry’s first bio-mechanics labs called The Converse Biomechanics Laboratory with the goal of creating better products for athletes.

1982

 

JORDAN IN PRO LEATHER

Michael Jordan leads the UNC Tar Heels to the NCAA Championship wearing the Pro Leather.

1984

 

OFFICIAL OLYMPIC
FOOTWEAR

Converse is the official footwear sponsor of the 1984 Olympics. The U.S. Men’s and Women’s basketball teams win gold in Converse shoes—most notably featuring Michael Jordan and Lynette Woodward, both wearing Pro Stars.

1985

 

ENTER THE ODESSA

Converse releases The Odessa, one of the Converse Biomechanics Laboratory’s most innovative designs.

1986

 

CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON

Converse releases the Weapon, It becomes central to the rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. The "Choose Your Weapon" ad campaign is still infamous for having the two face off.

1971

 

MORE ALL STAR COLORS

Converse adds five colors to the All Star.

NUMBER ONE STAR

The brand also introduces the One Star, which becomes the choice shoe for skateboarders. The re-introduction of the One Star in 1993 signals Converse’s long-term investment in skate culture.

NAUT-1

Converse’s history in boating shoes goes back to at least 1950 and it’s CVO history goes back to 1910 with its first tennis shoes. The Naut-1 continued both ideas when it was introduced in 1971 in navy and white colorways.

1975

 

A YEAR OF FIRSTS

Converse introduces the Star Chevron logo, releases its first performance and running shoe, the All Star Training Shoe, and its first two graphic t-shirts.

1976

 

COACH JOGGER

Converse expanded the Coach line to include models for sports other than basketball, and released the Coach Jogger.

FIRST FEMALE ATHLETE ENDORSEMENT

Chris Evert becomes the first female athlete to sign an individual endorsement deal with Converse. She would remain sponsored by Converse throughout the rest of her career and would release numerous performance and casual shoes alongside the brand under her name.

PRESENTING:
PRO LEATHER

The Pro Leather succeeds the Leather All Star as Converse’s pinnacle performance basketball shoe, becoming one of Converse’s most classic basketball shoes.

1982

 

BIOMECHANICAL

Converse establishes one of the industry’s first bio-mechanics labs called The Converse Biomechanics Laboratory with the goal of creating better products for athletes.

 

JORDAN IN
PRO LEATHER

Michael Jordan leads the UNC Tar Heels to the NCAA Championship wearing the Pro Leather.

1984

 

OFFICIAL OLYMPIC FOOTWEAR

Converse is the official footwear sponsor of the 1984 Olympics. The U.S. Men’s and Women’s basketball teams win gold in Converse shoes—most notably featuring Michael Jordan wearing Court Stars and Lynette Woodward wearing Pro Stars.

1985

 

ENTER THE ODESSA

Converse releases The Odessa, one of the Converse Biomechanics Laboratory’s most innovative designs.

1986

 

CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON

Converse releases the Weapon, It becomes central to the rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. The “Choose Your Weapon” ad campaign is still infamous for having the two face off.

1991

 

STARS AND STRIPES

Converse adds an American Flag print to the Chuck. Since then, innumerable ornamental motifs have graced sneaker culture’s most recognizable silhouette.

1993

 

FROM ALL STAR TO ONE STAR

The Suede Leather All Star is reintroduced as the One Star. It gets immediately adopted by the skate community thanks to early advertising in Thrasher Magazine. It becomes a staple of early 1990s street style.

1994

 

MUD CHUNK

Taking DNA from the Chuck Taylor All Star in the form of midsole foxing and toe bumper patterns, and the iconic diamond shapes and corrugation of the outsole, it featured a lugged outsole and mid-cut upper made from hopsack canvas.

2000

 

FIRST FASHION COLLAB

Converse enters its first fashion collaboration with designer John Richmond. Among others, it featured a black leather Jack Purcell with a hint of a red smiler on the toe.

2003

 

SWOOSHED

Nike, Inc. purchases Converse.

2003

 

ICONIC PERFORMANCE

Converse introduces the Icon Performance System. Based around spherical cushioning materials, the icon platform increases cushioning, responsiveness and motion control.

2003

 

WELCOME THE WADE

Converse launches the Wade—representing Converse’s highest profile sponsorship of the new decade. The partnership with Dwyane Wade lasts until 2009, produces four signature shoes and reinvigorates Converse’s presence in performance basketball.

2008

 

RED AND READY EMPOWER

The launch of the One Hund(RED) artists campaign brings together over 100 artists to put their unique stamp to the All Star. This is one of the first Converse campaigns empowering communities for a cause.

2009

 

SET TO SKATE

CONS skateboarding makes its global debut with an impressive lineup of skate ambassadors.

2009

 

CDG PLAY ALL DAY

COMME des GARÇONS puts runway models in Converse shoes, leading to a collaboration between Converse and CDG PLAY that has become the longest-running contemporary collaboration for Converse.

1991

 

STARS AND STRIPES

Converse adds an American Flag print to the Chuck. Since then, innumerable ornamental motifs have graced sneaker culture’s most recognizable silhouette.

1993

 

FROM ALL STAR TO ONE STAR

The Suede Leather All Star is reintroduced as the One Star. It gets immediately adopted by the skate community thanks to early advertising in Thrasher Magazine. It becomes a staple of early 1990s street style.

1994

 

MUD CHUNK

Taking DNA from the Chuck Taylor All Star in the form of midsole foxing and toe bumper patterns, and the iconic diamond shapes and corrugation of the outsole, it featured a lugged outsole and mid-cut upper made from hopsack canvas.

2000

 

FIRST FASHION COLLAB

Converse enters its first fashion collaboration with designer John Richmond. Among others, it featured a black leather Jack Purcell with a hint of a red smiler on the toe.

2003

 

SWOOSHED

Nike, Inc. purchases Converse.

 

ICONIC PERFORMANCE

Converse introduces the Icon Performance System. Based around spherical cushioning materials, the icon platform increases cushioning, responsiveness and motion control.

 

WELCOME THE WADE

Converse launches the Wade—representing Converse’s highest profile sponsorship of the new decade. The partnership with Dwyane Wade lasts until 2009, produces four signature shoes and reinvigorates Converse’s presence in performance basketball.

2008

 

RED AND POWER READY

The launch of the One Hund(RED) artists campaign brings together over 100 artists to put their unique stamp to the All Star. This is one of the first Converse campaigns empowering communities for a cause.

2009

 

SET TO SKATE

CONS skateboarding makes its global debut with an impressive lineup of skate ambassadors.

 

CDG PLAY ALL DAY

COMME des GARÇONS puts runway models in Converse shoes, leading to a collaboration between Converse and CDG PLAY that has become the longest-running contemporary collaboration for Converse.

2013

 

THROWBACK, LOOK FORWARD

Converse launches the Chuck 70, built off of the 1970s Chuck Taylor All Star design with premium materials, deliberate nuance and extraordinary attention to detail.

2015

 

PROUD

Converse releases its first collection for Pride Month. Inspired by the LGBTQIA+ communities around the world, the collection serves as a reminder for universal tolerance, diversity and equality.

2017

 

TYLER TEAM-UP

Converse and Tyler introduce the GOLF le FLEUR* signature. The collection would be the first of a long-term partnership.

2019

 

SIGNATURE SABLONE

Converse welcomes its first female rider, Alexis Sablone, to the CONS Skate Team.

2019

 

BACK TO BASKETBALL

Converse launches the All Star BB Pro and re-enters the game of basketball by signing NBA guard Kelly Oubre Jr. to a multi-year footwear and apparel deal.

2019

 

FLAGSHIP IN CHINA

Conceived as a basketball concept store, Converse opens its first flagship retail store in Beijing.

2019

 

GIANNO

By Fall 2019, Converse and Tyler, the Creator have released 19 footwear iterations together. They release a new signature sneaker, the GOLF le FLEUR* Gianno, inspired by the great outdoors, or what Tyler called “the substitute-teacher who drives a Subaru look.”

2020

 

REVOLUTIONARY HOOPERS

Converse expands its Hoops community, signing Draymond Green, Natasha Cloud and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to its athlete roster. Natasha Cloud chooses to sit out of the WNBA season, and Converse commits to supporting her forfeited salary to support her social impact mission.

2020

 

ALL STARS COMMUNITY

Converse asserts its commitment to enabling youth with the launch of Converse All Stars, a robust community-focused ecosystem comprised of nearly 1,500 emerging creative leaders, from 56 cities around the world who each champion change in sport, art, and culture.

2021

 

THE WEAPON RETURNS

The 1986 Weapon officially returns with a modern design update and enhanced comfort technology – part of an evolution of Converse’s CX.

2021

 

TOKYO DREAMS

Draymond Green represents Converse at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where he helps the US Men’s Basketball Team capture a gold medal.

2022

 

TYLER TAKES ON CONVERSE BY YOU

Marking the fifth anniversary of their partnership, Converse and Tyler, the Creator democratize the design process with a GOLF WANG By You custom collection for the first time.

2023

 

SABLONE & SKATE LEGACY

Converse and Alexis Sablone co-create the AS-1 Pro. The skate silhouette is designed by Alexis from the ground up, and offers appeal for life on and off the board. As part of the shoe’s unveiling, Converse releases a documentary featuring Alexis skating down the Guggenheim Museum’s iconic spiral ramp.

2024

 

BILLIE BY YOU

Converse’s launch of the Billie Eilish By You experience gives consumers the opportunity to customize iconic Converse styles with special insignia and lyrics from her album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft.”

2013

 

THROWBACK, LOOK FORWARD

Converse launches the Chuck 70, built off of the 1970s Chuck Taylor All Star design with premium materials, deliberate nuance and extraordinary attention to detail.

2015

 

PROUD

Converse releases its first collection for Pride Month. Inspired by the LGBTQIA+ communities around the world, the collection serves as a reminder for universal tolerance, diversity and equality.

2017

 

TYLER TEAM-UP

Converse and Tyler introduce the GOLF le FLEUR* signature. The collection would be the first of a long-term partnership.

2019

 

SIGNATURE SABLONE

Converse welcomes its first female rider, Alexis Sablone, to the CONS Skate Team.

BACK TO BASKETBALL

Converse launches the All Star BB Pro and re-enters the game of basketball by signing NBA guard Kelly Oubre Jr. to a multi-year footwear and apparel deal.

 

FLAGSHIP IN CHINA

Conceived as a basketball concept store, Converse opens its first flagship retail store in Beijing.

GIANNO

By Fall 2019, Converse and Tyler, the Creator have released 19 footwear iterations together. They release a new signature sneaker, the GOLF le FLEUR* Gianno, inspired by the great outdoors, or what Tyler called “the substitute-teacher who drives a Subaru look.”

2020

 

REVOLUTIONARY HOOPERS

Converse expands its Hoops community, signing Draymond Green, Natasha Cloud and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to its athlete roster. Natasha Cloud chooses to sit out of the WNBA season, and Converse commits to supporting her forfeited salary to support her social impact mission.

 

2020

 

ALL STARS COMMUNITY

Converse asserts its commitment to enabling youth with the launch of
Converse All Stars, a robust community-focused ecosystem comprised of nearly 1,500 emerging creative leaders, from 56 cities around the world who each champion change in sport, art, and culture.

2021

 

THE WEAPON RETURNS

The 1986 Weapon officially returns with a modern design update and enhanced comfort technology – part of an evolution of Converse’s CX.

 

TOKYO DREAMS

Draymond Green represents Converse at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where he helps the US Men’s Basketball Team capture a gold medal.

2022

 

TYLER TAKES ON
CONVERSE BY YOU

Marking the fifth anniversary of their partnership, Converse and Tyler, the Creator democratize the design process with a GOLF WANG By You custom collection for the first time.

2023

 

SABLONE & SKATE LEGACY

Converse and Alexis Sablone co-create the AS-1 Pro. The skate silhouette is designed by Alexis from the ground up, and offers appeal for life on and off the board. As part of the shoe’s unveiling, Converse releases a documentary featuring Alexis skating down the Guggenheim Museum’s iconic spiral ramp.

2024

 

BILLIE BY YOU

Converse’s launch of the Billie Eilish By You experience gives consumers the opportunity to customize iconic Converse styles with special insignia and lyrics from her album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft.”

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