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When you think of Converse, do you only think of sneakers? Then a rethink is probably called for. Because the glasses and sunglasses by Converse are in no way inferior to the iconic design of the Chucks. Discover the story behind the style here and take a journey through Converse history with us.
Create your Style
Converse embodies the creative lifestyle like no other brand: musicians, artists and skaters love the label’s clean, sporty style. And fashion lovers and design fans also appreciate the legendary “Chuck Taylor All Star” sneakers in particular, which give every outfit a casual indie touch. But beyond Chucks, Converse now offers fashion, accessories and styles for every walk of life, including an eyewear collection that draws on the same defining elements of youth culture. Their glasses and sunglasses combine underground culture and fashion in a fresh way.
But how did a simple pair of sneakers become a mass phenomenon that has sold billions of copies? And why of all things does a sneaker made of canvas outlast all the fashions and trends of the past decades? The answer probably lies in the emotionality inherent in Chucks. They are charged with positive vibes and memories of the subculture, conveying rebellion and a sense of belonging at the same time. Something that only a few items of clothing manage, like the black leather biker jacket, the baseball cap or iconic sunglasses like the Ray-Ban Wayfarer or the Oakley Radar.
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Classic Havanna patterns, airy metal frames in browline style or grey-orange trend models: Converse’s eyewear also offers the whole range from underground subculture to popular fashion.
From Sport to Fashion
In the case of Converse, the brand’s success rests on one man. No, not founder Marquis Mills Converse, who founded the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in Massachusetts in 1908. It was basketball player Chuck Taylor, who complained to Converse in the 1920s that his feet always hurt when he played. Couldn’t the shoe factory make their “All Star” basketball shoe a little more comfortable? A few conversations and development steps later, the simple canvas sneaker became the “Chuck Taylor All Star” in 1923, including the iconic round patch on the inner ankle. Hence, Chucks were born.
In 1936, the US basketball players won Olympic gold in their Chucks, and after that there was no stopping them. In the Fifties, sneakers became the trademark of young people – especially the “All Stars”. Elvis and James Dean were spotted wearing Chucks. Mick Jagger got married in a white pair in 1971, and in the hippie and punk era at the latest, the fabric sneakers were an all-time favourite – because they could be painted either with flowers and little hearts or with skulls and band logos. Even today it’s hard to imagine fashion without Chucks, Scarlett Johannson wore them on the red carpet in Venice, Vogue boss Carine Roitfeld at a fashion show, and models like Gigi Hadid, Kaia Gerber and Kendall Jenner swear by the sporty vintage look from Converse.
More than one billion Chucks have been sold worldwide since their launch in 1917, making them the most successful shoe model of all time. It will probably be a while before Converse’s eyewear surpasses the Ray-Bans and Guccis of this world. But most likely that is not the plan at all. After all, it’s part of Converse’s brand image to be egalitarian and affordable for everyone - but also somewhat rebellious and therefore not suitable for everyone. Converse eyewear focuses on cool frame shapes with a cult logo and star, frames in black and classic styles that make reference to the “Chuck Taylor All Star” through signature prints.
Filigree aviator look, dark statement frame or round sunglasses in trendy brown tones: the sunnies from Converse deliver the right model for every street style.
