Converse has introduced its new “It’s Possible” collection as part of the brand’s ongoing commitment to honor Black culture and celebrate Black stories. The collection features designs by three Black creatives on team Converse, including WNBA athlete and activist Natasha Cloud, Converse materials designer Marissa Bynoe, and apparel product merchandiser Javon Martin.
The three designers draw inspiration from their personal lives and journeys to create their own iteration of a Converse silhouette, plus an accompanying piece of apparel. The Chuck 70, Pro Leather Ox, and Run Star Hike were chosen as the canvases for telling their individual narratives.
Marissa Bynoe takes on the Chuck 70 with a patchwork design, inspired by her childhood of growing up in an artistic home surrounded by Afrocentric patterns and textures. Bynoe incorporates mixed materials on the upper, along with a navy Converse All Star logo on the medial side. Personal touches are featured such as “It’s Possible” written in Bynoe’s mother’s handwriting on the underside of the tongue. A matching graphic tee features a patchwork Star Chevron logo.
The “It’s Possible” Pro Leather Ox is designed by 2019 WNBA champion Natasha Cloud. With themes of perseverance and continuous personal growth, the Pro Leather takes on a customizable tonal black upper. Included are nine removable patches featuring words of empowerment and social change such as “Justice,” “Strength,” and “Community.” The customizable patches represent the evolution that can take place day by day. As Cloud explains, changing your shoes to match your present self is “a way of therapy, it’s a way of vulnerability, it’s a way of strength.” Rounding out the design is “It’s Possible” in Cloud’s mother’s handwriting on the back of the heel. The shoe is accompanied by a matching hoodie.
For the final silhouette in the “It’s Possible” collection, Javon Martin uses the Run Star Hike to send an inspiring message of motivation and encouragement to the youth. Martin has brought his design to life by taking note of his childhood neighborhood in Dorchester, MA, and incorporating a community staple, the MA-1 bomber jacket. The Run Star Hike comes equipped with a satin upper along with reflective piping on the eyestay, quilted tongue stitching, a zippered detail on the backstay revealing an orange satin inside, an “It’s Possible” heel patch, and an exaggerated jagged outsole. Martin throws in a personal touch with a hangtag reading “Blue Hill Ave,” a nod to his childhood neighborhood. A Blue Hill Ave street sign can also be found on the back of the accompanying tee.
The Converse “It’s Possible” Pro Leather Ox by Natasha Cloud and the “It’s Possible” apparel collection is available now on Converse.com and select stores. The Run Star Hike and Chuck 70 will launch at a later date.
Converse Pro Leather Ox “It’s Possible” By Natasha Cloud
Color: Black/White/Black
Style Code: A01649C
Release Date: April 18, 2022
Price: $90 USD
Converse Chuck 70 Hi “It’s Possible” By Marissa Bynoe
Color: Black/Midnight Navy
Style Code: A01736C
Release Date: 2022
Price: $95 USD
Converse Run Star Hike “It’s Possible” By Javon Martin
Color: Black/Mason/Bold Mandarin
Style Code: A01736C
Release Date: May 15, 2022
Price: $120 USD
