360 DEGREES Weblog

For Spring 2012, Undefeated Tokyo has collaborated with Converse Japan on the All Star All Good TYO Hi. Inspired by ancient and modern Tokyo, the contrasting worlds are worked into the sneaker. The entirely reflective upper, imitating the lights of the city, represents the modern Tokyo, while the Edo-komon print on the lining and old Tokyo city map on the in-sole represent the ancient Tokyo.

The Undefeated Japan x Converse Japan All Star All Good TYO Hi sneaker is scheduled for a February 2012 release.

The French luxury brand, Lanvin, offers up their take one of the most popular styles around with these lovely grey suede chukka boots. We’ve seen chukkas from all sorts of different brands offered in various price ranges, but not ones hitting this level. These will set you back $595, but the easy to wear color will hopefully let you get your money’s worth. If you got some Holiday gift money that’s burning a hole in your pocket, head over to Mr. Porter to scoop up a pair.

When one thinks of Converse, immediately Chuck Taylors and Jack Purcells come to mind, but one style that always keeps it thorough is their One Star sneakers. This J Monkey Boot version comes in 2 colors: black with white contrasting stitching, and a beige with burgundy colored leather on the side Star logo, toe and tongue areas. Both shoes are comprised of a leather and suede mixed upper, with what appears to be a slightly off-white sole. And for the boot inspiration, the cord laces take care of that.

That is what we love so much about Vans – when they do the least, keep it really simple, the results are the best. From their Spring 2012 Cans Classics Collection we present the Canvas & Leather Pack. Consisting of the Era and the Zapato del Barco, both sneakers come in each three colorways, featuring a combination of canvas and leather accents on the upper. We like the contrasting styles, grey/brown and navy/brown, the best.

As part of their Spring 2012 Collection, Vans dedicates the 106 Vulcanized low top sneaker to Iggy Pop. The popular style comes in a premium all black leather version with wool lining, inspired by the classic Dr. Martens boot, as worn by Iggy Pop in some ways. A special embossed graphic is featured on the tongue.

Vans Syndicate partners with Japanese label WTAPS once again on a special holiday footwear project Hitting select shops this week, Vans Syndicate/WTAPS Bones Pack includes an Era “S”, Chukka 59 “S” and Sk8-Hi OG “S” in a burgundy suede and canvas with a repeating bones print.

Created as a one-off to celebrate the completion of a classic bike restoration, the TAD Street Fighter Jacket ($950) is a limited edition that’s worth the extra cash. Made from fine American leather sourced from Horween Leather in Chicago, the Street Fighter features a zippered side hideaway pocket, a gusseted back for freedom of movement, two interior snap pockets for added storage, zippered cuffs, and antiqued brass zippers. As an added bonus, the leather will break in and develop a patina that’s unique to you, quickly making it look like a well-worn partner in crime instead of something you just grabbed off the nearest mannequin.

Today Converse announces the limited-edition José Parlá for Converse (PRODUCT)RED Chuck Taylor All Star shoe launching on World AIDS Day – December 1, 2011. A painter, widely acclaimed in the art world, Parlá’s collaboration with Converse (PRODUCT)RED is designed to help provide awareness for the fight against AIDS in Africa and encourage consumers to become agents of change, turning art into power. A percentage of the net wholesale price of the shoe will go to The Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

Using the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe as a canvas, Parlá chose his painting “Ephemeral Pitches, and Notes, Rhythm and Phonetics” to grace the shoe’s upper. A striking work, the painting explores constant changes to urban lifestyle and was inspired by abstract noises, music, rhythms, languages and sounds of cities. Selected by Parlá in recognition of the change that is part of the mission of (RED), the painting’s themes also represent a nod to Parlá’s days of youth wearing Chuck Taylor All Star shoes to play basketball, dance and have fun.

Only 500 of the José Parlá for Converse (PRODUCT)RED Chuck Taylor All Star shoes will be available, beginning on World AIDS Day – December 1, 2011 at Converse First String retailers globally.

With the release of the Bedwin & The Heartbreakers x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star getting closer, we take a better look at the collaborative sneaker. Bedwin gave the sneaker a premium black suede upper, light grey logo patch, red logo tag on the heel and they also added a side zipper to the classic high top sneaker.

The Bedwin and Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi will release on December 3rd, 2011.

Converse does an excellent job presenting timeless premium versions of its All Star Chuck Taylor sneaker. For Holiday 2011 they present the All Star Premium Leather in both high top and low top versions. The high top in brown leather, seen here above, looks beautiful. Another great new style is the All Star Leather Shearling, featuring a warm fur lining. All new styles are now available in the Converse online store.