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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Converse Blog's Weapon Wednesday

Good Wednesday to you all and good bye to Rudy and John, we barely knew you. Things are beginning to get more clear in the race. Also while I am at it, if anyone can find a picture of one of the remaining candidates wearing Converse then they'll have The Converse Blog's support.

Since it is Wednesday, what you are about to see are some Weapons, so lets get to it.




I found these pics on TaoBao.com and I don't think these will be coming out here. They appear to be taken from a Converse store in China. They are black/white/grey/red in colorway. The designs on the sides of these Weapon's come from the old Converse Yearbook covers. I am going to get to one of those someday.








There is only one day left to Vote in the poll, and it looks like Running/Training is in a good position to win. Thanks for coming to the Converse Blog, tell strangers about it!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Converse Blog: Welcome to Converse John Hoke and Chris Manley

BEAVERTON, Ore. (28 January, 2008) — Nike (NYSE:NKE) announced today that John Hoke, Vice President of Global Footwear Design for the Nike brand, is moving into the newly created role of Vice President, Global Footwear, for Converse, responsible for the brand’s global footwear product management, design, development and innovation.


“A strength of the Nike portfolio is our ability to develop and share creative talent, driving strong product innovation in each of our brands,” said Sandy Bodecker, Vice President of Global Design for Nike. “As Converse continues to grow, the brand will benefit from the leadership of an experienced Nike product design and development leader who has played a significant role in the success of the Nike brand. John has been instrumental in driving industry best practices in footwear design at Nike and building a talented, diverse design organization.”


With Nike since 1992, Hoke was promoted to Global Creative Director of Footwear Design in 2002, and to Vice President in 2003. Before joining the global footwear team, John’s primary role was with Nike Brand Design, where he led the design and creative direction for key successes such as the openings of Niketown New York and Niketown London, Nike Park events at the 1998 World Cup in France, and Nike’s presence at global trade shows. An influential member of the broader design community, Hoke is a member of the Board of Directors at Herman Miller and the Oregon College of Arts and Crafts. His work has been highlighted in numerous design periodicals.



As Converse celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2008, the iconic global brand is generating exceptional growth. In fiscal 2007, revenues increased 23 percent and pretax income increased 133 percent, with Converse ending the year with its biggest global sales quarter ever. The Chuck Taylor All-Star franchise continues to generate strong sell-through in every model, and Converse continues to expand it presence in performance basketball, athletic footwear, and lifestyle footwear and apparel. Strong growth is continuing this year, with Converse generating revenue growth of more than 40 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2008.


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A few interesting thoughts from the press release. This is another example of a high level Nike employee coming over to Converse, for the same position. The thing that's really cool is that it's a brand new position. I really feel like Converse is in a prime position for growth and this appears to be another example of Nike Inc. feeling the same way. Also it's good to get some actual numbers on how the company is performing. Q4 for 2007 was the largest global quarter for Converse ever.


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(North Andover, MA – January 23, 2008) - Converse announced today the appointment of Chris Manley to Converse as General Manager, Premium Products. Manley will oversee sales, design, merchandising and production for premium apparel and footwear including the Converse by John Varvatos men’s and women’s collections. Additionally, Converse will realign the category management overseen by Michael Spillane, President North American Footwear to include Global Apparel. Manley joined the company January 22, reporting directly to Michael Spillane and will work out of Converse’s New York City office.


For the past seven years, Manley was the President of Menswear at Theory overseeing sales, design, production and merchandising where he was instrumental in driving the overall growth of Theory’s men’s apparel business. Manley was also integral in leading the growth and development of new categories including tailored clothing, dress shirts and ties. Before joining Theory, Manley spent three years at Hugo Boss as Senior Vice President, Product Development. Prior to Hugo Boss, Manley worked for over 10 years in the apparel

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This is also an exciting hire because it comes from outside of Nike Inc. The brand's appeal is reaching out to attract others. It says in the press release that Chris will oversee sales, design, merchandising and production for premium apparel and footwear including the Converse by John Varvatos men’s and women’s collections. As someone that hasn't seen the numbers, this appears to be evidence that the Varvatos line is doing well enough to make this hire. I haven't gotten any of the apparel yet, but all of the Varvatos shoes I own are wonderful.

Well, that's it for today. I saw news on these hires yesterday and I just wanted share some thoughts on them. I wish them both luck in continuing to advance the Converse brand. Thanks for checking out the blog and remember to vote on the poll, only a few days left.

Monday, January 28, 2008

The Converse Blog: Pro Leather Canvas High

Happy Monday! Today I've got a real treat, the Converse Pro Leather Canvas. Granted that sound really weird to say, you know the whole leather/canvas thing. There are obvious difference between them, but I can't think of another way to describe it. They are canvas with Chucks midsole and outsole, but with a canvas Pro Leather designed upper. Confused yet? Me too, so maybe I should just get to the pics.






A few years ago there were Canvas Weapons in much of the same fashion. Here are some more samples below. These pics have sample tags on them so I am not sure if they will actually be releasing. I found them on eBay.de, but the auction has since ended so I can't link to it.




There is also a set of Pro Team Canvas shoes that I'll be posting sometime soon. Thanks for checking out the blog, don't forget to vote there are only a few days left.

Friday, January 25, 2008

The Converse Blog's Friday Flashback: Wrestling

Wrestling, not wrasslin, Wrestling. You know what Kurt Angle used to be known for. Converse used to make shoes for that sport too. Also a sport I left off of the poll on the top of the page. So to sort of make up for that, today's flashback is all about some old school wresting shoes..boots? Anyway, here they are.








These wrestling shoes are from the eltra era, probably in the 70's. The black/white colorway is as classic as it comes. Also they have an outsole in a nice soft gum.







Flashback Re-issued! As if seeing the original wasn't enough, now take a peak at the re-issued model coming out soon. These have be updated into a casual shoe with an actual midsole this time. Change the highth and the chevron ad a dash of green and there you go. I'd say a pretty good re-issue. There is also a white/navy colorway below, it came from www.converse.be.







I am strating to get backed up with all of the pics I've found recently, I might have to start posting more often. Stay tuned to see what happens. Thanks for checking out the blog and tell everyone you see, no really.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

The Converse Blog's Weapon Wednesday: Poker Chip Sample

I couldn't decide which Weapon to feature today, so I took a gamble......you're right that was bad. Today's Weapon is a sure bet to be unique. As you can see, the Weapon is in a white/black/gold colorway. The Gold comes in the form of Poker Chips and can be found on the ankle and the toe cap.










These are certainly sample's and may not even release here in the states. I found them on TaoBao. I almost expected all of the chips to be 100 dollar chips for the 100th year, but that is not the case. You can see chips in amounts of 1, 5, 25, 50. Thanks for checking out the blog and I'll see all again on Friday.

Monday, January 21, 2008

The Converse Blog: Kurt Cobain One Star

As the story goes, when Kurt Cobain took his own life he was wearing a pair of Black One Star's. Later on this year as part of their Converse Century Music Collection, Converse will release four Kurt Cobain shoes and three Grateful Dead shoes. I found these pics from Baggins Shoes.






Pretty simple and straight forward one star here. It's distressed and has Kurt Cobain's signature and what I believe is a quote of his on the insole. The other three shoes are Chucks and I post them later when it's closer to their release, in June.

Friday, January 18, 2008

The Converse Blog's Friday Flashback: World Class Trainer

Before we get to it today, I've got to tell you something important. You have to watch Cloverfield, if you miss this movie you're crazy. Drop all of your plans for the night and go watch this movie. Now, The Converse Blog's Friday Flashback: World Class Trainer.





The Converse World Class Trainers are from the 70's when Eltra owned Converse. I would love to see these re-issued by Converse as the really seem to stick out from other running/training shoes of that era. I love the blocking between the white-color-white on the sides of the shoes. Also the Chevron for this model is pretty unique, it gets wider the further out it goes. I've seen this on a few models, mostly from this era.

















I got these pictures from ebay and Yahoo Auctions Japan. Also I must admit while watching Andy Roddick get tossed from another grand slam event, I realized that I left Tennis off of the pole at the top of the page. I went to change it, but since there are votes on it I couldn't change it. So if you're wondering, place Tennis in the other category. Thanks for checking out the Blog and don't forget to vote.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

The Converse Blog: Target Commercial

Big thanks to Rich, he sent me this link to the new Converse and Target Commercial. You can also get a sneak peak at some of the gear by clicking here.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

The Converse Blog's Weapon Wednesday: Weapon SB

Today's Weapon Wednesday is a debut of sorts. I've been looking for this Weapon for a while now and I actually thought I'd seen it a time or two. With that being said, here is your first glimpse of the Converse Weapon SB. Yes, SB as in Skateboarding. This image comes from www.Converse.de.



There are some pretty obvious differences between the Weapon SB and the normal Weapon. Most noticeably the midsole and out sole appear to be more like Chucks. Also the Y bar isn't really a Y. I wish there were more pictures but that's all I could find. I hope these find their way here soon.

Monday, January 14, 2008

The Converse Blog: Unknown Basketball Shoe

Recently while searching at TaoBao.com I came across a few pictures of a new basketball shoe from Converse. I don't know if these are sample for shoes coming out in the future or shoes that were never produced. Either way, I found two different colorways and wanted to share them with you today. The auctions for these shoes can be found here and here.





















Sometimes when I look at these sneakers I see portions of the Wade 3.0, especially in the white/black/red colorway. Maybe it's the placing of the logo or the blocking with the with colors. You can see on both shoes a fever strong looking outrigger which appears on nearly every Converse basketball shoe now. I really enjoy this feature as it speaks the craftsmanship put into the shoes. Hopefully we'll know about these soon.
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I got to thinking the other day about some of the interesting stories I have about me and my Converse. So I want to hear from all of you. Your first pair of Chucks, the first time someone gave you a compliment on your Converse kicks. So send in your stories and I'll post them on here.

Don't forget to vote in poll and help spread the word about the blog! Thanks, James
















Friday, January 11, 2008

The Converse Blog's Friday Flashback: Converse Three Stripes

It's Friday, which means the week is almost over and that it's time for The Converse Blog's Friday Flashback. I like to show stuff that maybe you haven't seen, or at least haven't seen in a while. Today's flashback is of a shoe that Converse can never ever make again. You'll see why in the pictures below.








No, you're seeing it correctly, those are three stripes but they're not Adidas. Going by the box pictured below these are pre-Eltra era Converse which probably puts them in the 50's or 60's. My guess is that at that time Adidas had not trademarked the three stripes. These were track and field or running shoes that went by the name of Miler.











So next time you see a vintage picture of someone running in track events and see three stripes don't automatically assume they're wearing Adidas. Especially if you're looking at photos of Americans you might just be seeing Converse shoes with three stripes like these.









That's it for today, I hope you enjoy these rare Converse shoes I know I have enjoyed showing them. If you know anymore about these shoes please contact me or leave feedback on the site, I'd really like to know more. Also please take a few seconds on cast a vote in the poll at the top of the page, it's good practice for the primary elections.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

The Converse Blog: Marquette and Jameer's Hops

Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Converse Blog. Today you'll see picture updates on Marquette and Jameer Nelson. Marquette came from behind last night to defeat Seton Hall. The first picture is right after the game clenching three.




In this picture the team is huddled up and you can see the Team Wade 1, Team Wade 1.3, Wade 1.3 and for the first time a good look at the Marquette colorway of the Wade 3.0



The next Converse basketball shoe to get a push is the Converse Hops. Jameer Nelson appears to be ready for the switch from the 099. Seen below in two different colorways, the white/black/blue is a player exclusive.






That's all for today, remember to vote in the poll and leave some feedback. Thanks for checking out The Converse Blog. Oh I almost forgot, all of these pictures come from Yahoo.