CONVERSE CELEBRATES A CENTURY OF ICONIC BRAND

This year, Converse reaches a remarkable feat as it commemorates its centennial year. Through the years, Converse has been reputed as one of the world’s coveted, iconic brands. From basketball courts to the different rendezvous; from the birth of the All Star® shoe in 1917 to the birth of the NBA and Rock n’ Roll to today’s pop culture; Converse has been on the feet and being worn by the True Originals.

Converse, which started as footwear company – and now carries apparel and accessories- has been and will continue to inspire originality to the next 100 years. The footwear collaboration has evolved from Chuck Taylor® All Star® (1921) to Jack Purcell (1935); to the resurgence of performance basketball through the signing of Dwayne Wade in 2003.

Poorman Collection

The urban or hip – hop music has a colorful history, from their fight for freedom from slavery, they have formed hip – hop get up’s and music. From music to word influencing, they introduced to the masses different kinds of rap and word combinations. From ghetto to riches, their music has captivated people from their roots and up to now. The leaders of revolution have again disrupted the status quo worn again by originals, Converse.

Psychedelic

Since the 50’s, the leaders of revolution have disrupted the status quo. The music of psychedelia, glam, hard rock, acid rock, punk and funk inspired by the psychedelic folk movement in the 1960’s in England and Scotland. The music of this era has been influenced by the eastern music as well as fantasy and mythical literature, lyrics often involved mystical creatures like unicorns & dragons supported by colorful and vivid visuals and clothing.

Graffiti

Vandalism, Art expression, letterings and drawings you see at any walls, and public transportation. Converse story’s always been set to music. The birth of graffiti expressions has always been incorporated to music from the era of 80’s “where the video kills the radio star” from funk & punk, hip-hop, grunge and rock & roll and met the 21st century loud, proud, and unruly – AN IDEAL INSPIRATION FOR A CENTURY BASH.

The Team:RENAISSANCE BLACK FIVES (1923-1949)

Before the NBA, pro basketball was somewhere on the sporting totem pole below horse racing and prizefighting. That began to change in the ’30s. One of the reasons was a team based at the renaissance casino in Harlem.

Known alternately as the Renaissance Black Fives, the Harlem Renaissance, the Harlem Rens, the New York Rens — and later, as the Dayton Rens — the team was the most successful of the era and a huge draw even in the segregated South. In 1939, their finest year, they traveled 38,000 miles, won 132 of 141 games, were declared the “colored professional” champions and won the World Professional Basketball Tournament in
Chicago.