The Converse Blog's Friday Flashback Converse Star Tech

Fri-DAY! Well I sure hope when you read that it comes off the way it did for me, either way it's that wonderful day when the week and the weekend do their dance of love around 5:oo Pm, and they'll be flirting all day long. So what is so exciting about this weekend, well Kentucky will scrimmage North Carolina on Saturday morning. I can't believe I am saying this, but more importantly is the SEC championship game. Ugh, I hate to admit it but I'll be cheering for UT to upset LSU this weekend...and no I haven't lost my mind. If the Vols can knock off the soon Les-less tigers than UK has a great shot at playing the Chick-F-ila Bowl in Catlanta. Not only would the game be inside, there would also be a stop at the Converse store Dawsonville, GA. I know it's not exactly on the way, but I am hoping it's close enough.

So what does that have to do with anything I am going to post up today? That's a pretty good to a great question to ask. Today's flashback, the Startech, is a basketball shoe from the 80's it came in low, 3/4, and high top. I've got a few other pictures, but I am going exclusively with the white/orange 3/4 top colorway to give a little added support for Smokey and the rest of the Vols.


Okay so this is a really crappy picture, for one that big logo is in the center of it, which I am too cheap to buy so, that you www.gettyimages.com. Second because when it shrinks down it's hard to make out the shoe that this Lady Vol is wearing, but it is in fact the 3/4 Converse Startech pictured below. So there is the proof that the Vols, did wear these shoes. So take that naysayers.

Classic 80's silver box with the square star, aka golden days. The Startech was the follow up to the Weapon and I am pretty sure it came out in 1987. I've seen many different colorways, one was on David Robinson while he was playing at Navy, in navy/white colorway.

These shoes are a classic, from the Chevron and Star, to the Square logo heel patch. I always thought that most 3/4 shoes were for Tennis, but once I found these I knew otherwise. I've never played in a 3/4 shoe, but maybe some day. Maybe that will be the next trend to re-issued like crazy.

Well that was that certainly easier than the actual rooting for Tennessee will be tomorrow, but I just have to remember it's for the good the Wildcats. Even then I am not completely sold. Well that's it for today, enjoy your weekend go Vols!?! Thanks for coming, please help spread the word about The Converse Blog!

The Converse Blog: Wade Video

Recently Converse and Anomaly have been promoting the Wade 3 in TV and Print ads. In the print ads you will see the love letter that Dwyane wrote to basketball. However, now comes an extended commercial that actually has Dwyane reading the letter over highlights from his basketball career. Today I'll be writing a 5 page paper that's due tomorrow, so I'll just leave you all with the video, enjoy.

The Converse Blog: Commercials

This past week three new Converse commercials started rolling on TV. These are the second set of ads from Anomaly. They're simple and powerful. I won't talk much about them, I want you to do that in the comments section. Plus I've got math homework and a paper to write so I am more crunched for time than I'd like to be.


Three Chords







Unsigned Band





Me We

The Converse Blog: Converse and Target sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g....

Since I've posted last a couple of interesting Converse related items have taken place. Marquette made it to the finals of the Maui, but lost to Duke. Western Kentucky played a big game against Gonzaga last night, but came up just short. Maurice Evans got traded to the Magic, which means no more Laker colorways, for now anyway. What also sucks about this trade is it's one less team that has a Converse guy, now the Magic, Heat, and 76ers both have two. Also a new set of ads started rolling out, but I'll talk more about those on Monday.

What I want to touch on today, Black Friday, is the new relationship between Converse and Target.

While I am not talking about these custom designed Chucks, you can go here to find many more at Punk Your Chucks. No, what I am going to talk about is the new partnership between Converse and Target. First so you know what the details are read the press release below in blue.

N. ANDOVER, Mass., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Converse Inc. and Target Corporation have reached an innovative partnership agreement to offer One Star vintage inspired sport lifestyle apparel and footwear exclusively at Target stores nationwide beginning in February 2008. The One Star collection will be supported by an integrated marketing campaign. Select sportswear and footwear styles will also be available at Target.com.

"We are very excited about this tremendous partnership celebrating Converse's iconic One Star label with a world-class retail partner like Target. One Star has been a successful part of the Converse family for more than 30 years. This collaboration will enable us to deliver an innovative, premium head-to-toe lifestyle product collection while creating an exclusive One Star offering for Target guests," said Jack Boys, Chief Executive Officer, Converse Inc.

Target will offer One Star exclusive lifestyle and vintage inspired contemporary sportswear collections for men and women, including denim, non- denim bottoms, knits, wovens, graphic tees, sweaters, dresses, skirts and outerwear. One Star footwear includes exclusive and limited edition product for men, women and children.

"We are thrilled to bring Converse One Star products exclusively to our guests in new and exciting ways, and we look forward to creating a unique in- store experience that embodies the One Star lifestyle," said Gregg Steinhafel, president of Target. "This partnership is another way in which we strive every day to bring our guests differentiated merchandise at a great value."

The One Star label made its debut in 1974 with a low cut, suede version of the original Converse basketball oxford with the iconic Converse five-point star design on its side. The One Star shoe quickly became a national phenomenon. It was adopted by the West Coast surf and skate scene of the 1970s and 1980s, and later by the grunge music scene of the 1990s, as a badge of honor -- a retro statement of their alternative and rebellious lifestyle.

One Star continues to be an influential part of Converse's rich heritage in sports and music as the Converse brand celebrates its centennial in 2008. One Star has been a successful franchise and has enjoyed strong international growth in recent years. Converse's partnership with Target will bring new energy to the One Star brand in the United States, introducing the iconic shoe to a new generation of consumers and Target guests. One Star will continue to be offered internationally through other retail partners. Converse's legendary Chuck Taylor All Star and other Converse footwear and apparel such as Dwyane Wade performance basketball product and Converse by John Varvatos men's and women's apparel will continue to be distributed in the United States and internationally through a broad range of retail channels.



Where to start....I've got to honest at first I wasn't really that happy to see this. Mainly because up until the other day, my feelings on Target were rather negative. I don't really have an explanation for my bitterness towards Target, and I actually hate Wal-Mart worse. That's when I realized it could be worse, what if this deal was with Wal-Mart? Don't get me wrong, I shop at Wal-Mart, but I'd rather not. Anyway, I am almost completely behind the deal, but I am waiting until February to see how it works.

Over the last few years One Star's have been kind of put on the back burner. It's always been Chucks, Jack Purcells, and One Stars in that order. With the revival of the slip on Vans, Converse quickly started making slip on Skid Grips, a boat shoe that hadn't been sold in the US in a good number of years. So I am really excited to see the One Stars get some love again. As you read in the release, there will also be apparel...and lots of it. The key piece of info from the release was...Target will offer One Star exclusive lifestyle and vintage inspired contemporary sportswear collections for men and women, including denim, non- denim bottoms, knits, wovens, graphic tees, sweaters, dresses, skirts and outerwear. One Star footwear includes exclusive and limited edition product for men, women and children. That pretty much sums it up for the apparel, which is the aspect I am probably most excited about.

Well I could probably talk more about this, but I am missing out on Black Friday. Oh, I almost forgot, Converse.com is having a one day sale so stop by and check it out. Thanks for coming by and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

The Converse Blog: Converse 2007-08 Basketball

Recently Converse released a press release for the upcoming basketball season. It was the first time in years that there was an online acknowledgement of an NBA roster outside of Dwyane Wade. You can find the press release here. There are some interesting claims on the press release, one being that this is the largest roster Converse has had in over 20 years. I did a little research I am not so sure that this is an accurate statement. That's for another day though. This is the first mention from Converse of having most of the roster, I am not even sure they had a press release when they signed Jameer Nelson as a rookie. It is also the first mention of t he Converse and Marquette partnership, where we learn the deal is for 6 years.

So for the next few weeks while this semester comes to an end and gets really crazy for me, I am going to post info and pictures from this release. Today I am going to post the pics of the new shoe named Hops. If you remember back to the other day when I posted pictures of NBA guys so far, Maurice Evans was rocking a pair.

»High performance and grounded, the Converse Hops includes key features like a leather upper with micro perforations for increased breathability.

»The collar strap enhances stability and the supportive internal booty provides a comfortable fit.

»The Hops’ EVA midsole provides durable cushioning while the deep heel carves add impact protection.

»The solid rubber, herringbone outsole with lengthwise flex grooves offer even greater stability and grip.

»The Converse Hops will be available in four colorways on Jan. 1, 2008 at major athletic retailers and Converse.com.

»MSRP - $75

»The Converse Hops will be worn by the following NBA athletes beginning in Jan. 2008:
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Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls)
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Jameer Nelson (Orlando Magic)
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Udonis Haslem (Miami HEAT)
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Kyle Korver (Philadelphia 76ers)
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Orien Greene (Sacramento Kings)
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Maurice Evans (Los Angeles Lakers)
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Acie Law IV (Atlanta Hawks)
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Alando Tucker (Phoenix Suns)
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Andre Miller (Philadelphia 76ers)


So at least for the first part of 2008 this will the main shoe worn by the Converse NBA guys, along with Evans, Haslem and Tucker have worn them in the preseason. Thanks for coming by, leave so me feedback on your way out. I will be out of town for Thanksgiving so I probably won't post again until Friday, but you never know.

The Converse Blog: Breaking News! WKU in Converse

Over the summer, when this blog was still going by the name of Converse NCAA, I posted about Western Kentucky's fashion show. During their fashion show of all of there new Russell gear, the men's basketball players were wearing the White/Red Colorway of the Converse 099. I made a post about it but, I cautioned that a source I had said that it would be Nike when the season started. It would appear that between now and then something changed, and my source is trying to figure out what happened. So I'll get back to everyone when that information comes in, but I wanted to go ahead and get the pics posted up.


Below you will see pictures from a recent game, where the WKU' players are wearing both the White/Red colorway of the Converse 099 and the Converse Wade TFC.

This is a really big development for Converse in the NCAA. This is really exciting because the Marquette deal was almost a given, but this shows that Converse is getting more serious about getting back into the NCAA. When I first got hooked on Converse in the mid 90's I could tune in and see a good number of teams wearing Converse and Converse Jerseys. This goes back to the APEX deal that ended up being more trouble than it was worth. However it did make for some really interesting jerseys through the few years. I'll get to some of them one of these days. Anyway I just wanted to update and let everyone know that there are now two teams in D-1 basketball wearing Converse this season. I am trying to keep my eyes peeled so if you see another team let me know. Thanks for the checking out the blog, big numbers the last few days so keep telling your friends.

The Converse Blog: NBA Shots

Hello world, today I get to kill two birds with one stone. Don't worry these are game birds I intent to eat them later. I've been meaning to post up some pictures of the Converse roster in action. Which works out really well today because I've been a real slacker and have put off all kinds of work until today. Something about backing myself into a corner that I just can't get over. Anyway lets just get right to it. I am not for sure, but most of the pictures they come from Yahoo sports.

Below you will see Orien Greene of the Kings wearing the black/black colorway of the 099

Below you see Hawks guard Acie Law IV moving past Rondo wearing a player exclusive 099 colorway in White/Navy/Red.

Below is a shot of Udonis Haslem probably after one of his offensive rebounds, wearing the Black/Red colorway of the 099.

In the left side of this picture you will see Alando Tucker of the Suns, the rookie out of Wisconsin is rocking a player exclusive colorway of the 099. The colorway seems to be black/white/Purple/Orange. Let me just say I've seen some other colorways he's worn and I just love that Converse has a Suns player again.

Below is Jameer Nelson wearing a player exclusive black/royal colorway of the 099.

In this pic, Kirk Hinrich is guarding Andre Miler, both wearing the 099 in white/black/red and black/red colorways.

Kyle Korver wearing the White/Black/Red colorway of the 099


Andre Miller rocking the black/red colorway of the 099

Maurice Evans of the Lakers is shown here wearing a player exclusive white/black/gold colorway of the 099.






In the last shot here you will see Maurice Evans wearing a white/purple/gold colorway of the Hops, this will be the shoe everyone will wear starting in January.



They had a big press release packet come out yesterday so I am going to raid that for content soon, but I had all of this pics saved so I thought I'd go ahead and get them out to you. Thanks for show up today, come back on Friday for some more Converse goodness.