Converse Shines Bright For Spring

On a gloomy and grey afternoon, I caught a glimpse of sunshine in the form of the brightly coloured Converse spring collection. As a shoe fanatic, I felt like a sugar-deprived kid in a candy store with delicious new shoes awaiting me on every table.

For spring 2009, the basic Chuck Taylors feature plaids, tropical colours (like pistachio green, plum and turquoise) and a line of garment-dyed Chucks treated to imitate a worn weathered look. “It's going to provide a solid base for what could be a loud palette in the wardrobe," explains BC Converse rep Mike Medland about the latest collection.

Converse strives to please people's different tastes this season. For girls who feel the Chuck Taylor is too chunky, the All Star Light, which debuted in 2008, gives a sleeker look, reminiscent of a ballet flat while preserving the traditional white rubber tip and coloured body of the shoe.

Music continues to be an inspiration for Converse this spring, since the brand seems to be the preferred shoe of so many rock stars. “The [music-Converse] relationship has been around forever," confirms Medland. “It's kind of like a non-status-quo band uniform that goes across the board from Avril Lavigne to Ozzy Osbourne." After releasing the Kurt Cobain-inspired Chucks in 2008, spring marks the arrival of the British rock series with Ozzy Osbourne, Pink Floyd and The Who-themed shoes.

Without a doubt, the most meaningful of all the collections is the Converse 1HUND(RED) collection, which raises awareness and funds to help fight AIDS in Africa. Featuring designs from various musicians and artists including U2's The Edge, Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco and Vancouver graphic artist Jeff Hamada, the chosen artists each created a Converse that represents their interpretation of the 1HUND(RED) theme.

With yet another successful spring collection, Converse should continue to be a staple in the fashion footwear industry well past their hundred-year anniversary.