Style: Converse Introduces Chuck Taylor African Mudcloth Shoe, Partners With RED
Converse announces today its partnership with Product RED, an economic initiative created by Bono (U2, singer and activist) and Bobby Shriver (Chairman of DATA - Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) designed to deliver sustainable flow of private sector money to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Converse, recognizing the urgency in the HIV/AIDS epidemic, is donating a percentage of sales of Converse RED product. Every season, Converse and Product RED will collaborate with designers, artists, musicians and filmmakers to inspire originality by creating limited edition Converse RED shoes on a unique canvas that preserves culture and celebrates creativity.
"RED is masterful in its simplicity: the greatest brands in the world enlisted to help with the biggest global emergency of our times. We are proud to be able to lend one of pop culture's most original and globally recognizable icons to assist in this critical endeavor," said Dave Maddocks, Chief Marketing Officer of Converse Inc.
At the cornerstone of this inaugural Converse RED Collection is the Chuck Taylor All Star mudcloth shoe designed with acclaimed UK designer Giles Deacon. Converse was inspired by Nakunte Diarra, a renowned mudcloth artist and storyteller since the 1950's who originates from Mali, to fully understand the art, symbolism and technique of Bogolanfini, a mud-dyed cloth of the Bamana people of Mali. Bogolanfini is a living art form, constantly changing, reflecting new inspirations, while paying homage to the past. Artists use techniques passed down through generations and motifs, which express the individual style and creativity of the artist, are based on well-known geometric patterns. Bogolanfini is an essential part of the Bamana people's lives, marking major life transitions, marriage, birth, excision and death. The Converse RED mudcloth shoe is an original work of art created to combine fashion and social consciousness to celebrate and preserve African culture and creativity.
The Converse RED Chuck Taylor All Star mudcloth shoe is available in March 2006 in one-of-a-kind mudcloth options in neon orange, neon yellow or neon pink accents. The mudcloth shoe is available in select specialty stores in the United Kingdom and USA and worldwide on converse.com.
As part of a larger Converse RED Collection, Giles Deacon put his sophisticated chic interpretation on Converse's iconic Chuck Taylor All Star, Jack Purcell and the Weapon franchises which will debut in late Spring 2009. Additionally, Converse will broaden the assortment of Converse RED shoes to include core Chuck Taylor All Star selections. Converse RED will officially launch in the United States for Holiday 2006 and will continue to inspire originality and freedom of thought among Converse enthusiasts and beyond.
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