Converse by Koché x Feng Chen Wang x Faith Connexion

Converse continues to push the boundaries of its design celebrating global creative communities. This time, it does so by asking three innovative female designers to re-imagine its archive: Koché, Feng Chen Wang and Faith Connexion. The result is a collection of apparel, footwear and accessories, Converse's largest collaboration to date, inspired by the brand's DNA. Each talent has worked independently but with the same approach, developing new styles and cuts through their respective design skills and vision, the perfect expression of the female street style. The starting point from which all the items of the capsule were born? Sneakers. 

I’ve worn Converse sneakers for so long that I hardly remember my first pair! It should have been a Chuck Taylor All Star Low in black. I felt so powerful and cool when I was a teenager while wearing them. When I launched Koché, I used Converse shoes for my first shows. The venues were very original: an underground station or the streets of Paris, with a guerrilla mood. The shoes matched perfectly with the rebellious and street vibe of my collections.

These are the words of Christelle Kocher, founder of Koché, who talks about her relationship with the American brand before explaining the mood of her new creations:

I played with codes of sports dressing and gave them a twist. I integrated some strong elements of the Koché vocabulary as well. Some pieces are very feminine with lace for example, but other pieces are unisex and can be worn with the same energy.

The unique mix of streetwear, sportswear and couture sensibility that has led to the success the French label has been converted into the tennis dress, rugby polo, tracksuit, patchwork skirt and shoes (Rina, Mary Jane and Jack Purcell), where Kocher swaps laces with straps and harnesses and experiments with crocodile skin.

Feng Chen Wang is currently one of the most interesting young designers. The former LVMH Prize finalist has made herself known for her ability to mix styles, dare with colors and bring to the catwalk unexpected garments. For her first capsule of women's clothing, Wang was inspired by the basketball uniform, creating a tracksuit, a jersey top and a track jacket, in a palette of reds and pinks. She also reworked the ERX 260 and the iconic Chuck 70 giving them a strong feminine touch.

For their part of the capsule, the Faith Connexion team focused on utility “using our recognizable detailing such as camouflage print, street art on fabrics, visible logos and destroyed raw finish”. The result consists in seven pieces designed for “a fearless, modern and always on the go woman”, featuring elegant camouflage silhouette prints and street-inspired graphics. All combined with new interpretations of Run Star, One Star Mid and One Star Ox.

Converse by Koché x Feng Chen Wang x Faith Connexion will be available from 26 April at Converse.com and at selected retailers at prices ranging from €40 to €250. Converse, in collaboration with Browns, will also host a pop-up event in Soho, London (54 - 57 Great Marlborough Street) on 26 and 27 April (10am to 6pm).