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Converse And Giles Deacon Debut Chuck Taylor® All Star® African Mudcloth Shoe To Support (PRODUCT) RED
Converse will launch its first global product to support (PRODUCT) RED by launching an exclusive limited edition Chuck Taylor All Star African Mudcloth shoe. Designed in collaboration with acclaimed UK designer Giles Deacon and with only 600 pairs available worldwide – the Converse (RED) Mudcloth shoe is set to be this season’s most collectable fashion item.
Converse, in collaboration with Giles Deacon, has designed this unique shoe using authentic African mudcloth as the canvas with contrasting vibrant color options such as neon orange, neon yellow or neon pink details. Blending traditional production methods with modern designs has allowed Deacon to put his sophisticated chic interpretation on the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star shoe.
African mudcloth utilises the technique of Bologanfini, a centuries old process of mud dyed cloth of the Bamana people made by hand-weaving and dyeing the cloth with exotic plant juices, teas and mud. The traditional process creates well-known geometric patterns and colours, which tell stories, reveal secrets and establish social status. Each Converse (RED) Mudcloth shoe is a unique work of art designed to combine fashion and social mindfulness to celebrate and cherish African culture and creativity.
This is the first in a series of exclusively designed shoes. Every season, Converse will collaborate with designers, artists, musicians and filmmakers to create limited edition Converse (RED) shoes on a unique canvas that preserve culture and celebrate inspiration. Depending on the product sold, anywhere from 5% - 15% of net sales from Converse (RED) shoes goes directly to the Global Fund.
The Converse (RED) Chuck Taylor All Star African Mudcloth shoe is on sale in the UK at Selfridges and specialty stores including Offspring and Concept Store at £160.00. 10% of net wholesale sales from the sale of this designer collaboration shoe goes directly to the Global Fund.
About Converse
Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as “America’s Original Sports Company” ™ and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor® All Star® shoe, the Jack Purcell® shoe and the One Star® shoe. Converse was the first basketball shoe to ever make contact with the court in 1917. Soon after, Converse gained iconic status with the creation of the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe in 1923, which went unmatched through five decades of professional basketball. For more information, visit Converse on the web at www.converse.com. [For the Sneakerhead.com Sneaker Academy article on Converse, please go to History of Converse.]
About (PRODUCT) RED
(RED) is a global initiative created by Bono (U2, singer and activist) and Bobby Shriver (Chairman of DATA – Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa). (RED) was set up to deliver a sustainable flow of private sector money directly to the Global Fund to invest in AIDS programmes in Africa with an emphasis on the health of women and children. Companies whose products take on the (RED) mark contribute a portion of profits from the sale of their product to the Global Fund. Current partners are: American Express, Converse, Gap and Giorgio Armani.
About the Global Fund
The Global Fund is the world’s leading funder of programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Created in 2002, the Global Fund has committed $4.9 billion to life-saving programs in 131 countries and accounts for a quarter of the world’s funding for AIDS programs in the developing world (half for malaria and two-thirds for tuberculosis). Global Fund-financed programs already support nearly half a million people on AIDS treatment, provide over half a million children orphaned by AIDS with medical services, education and community care and reach tens of millions with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves against HIV infection.
The Global Fund is a public-private partnership, governed by representatives of governments, the private sector and civil society from all over the world. It enables countries to design and execute their own programs, but provides funds only on the basis of proven results. It is a lean institution with operating costs of less than 3%, ensuring that resources go directly to where they are needed most. The Global Fund needs additional resources from all sectors to continue scaling up the support for life-saving work around the world. For more information about the Global Fund, visit: www.theglobalfund.org.
