Dive deeper into the CONVERSE X FOOTPATROL COLLECTION design process…
Drawing inspiration from off-court apparel worn by players and coaches, Footpatrol’s latest collaboration with the All Star brand encapsulates collegiate style with a deeply considered take on both the CHUCK 70 HI and JACK PURCELL OX. The team have gone deep into the Converse archive to recall the brand’s humble beginnings, as well as drawing elements from their previous drops together.
An upgrade on a quintessential throwback basketball model, the Chuck 70 Hi is swathed in its heritage, featuring a vintage version of the circular Converse All Star badge, with brand’s original name, “Converse Rubber Co.,” printed on the midsole, paired with a dual-branded branding on the teel tab which includes the Footpatrol Gasmask logo.
Off-court garments inspire the upper, utilising a glossy fabrication on the medial side to represent a satin coach jacket, paired with a silver eyelet mirroring the garment’s trademark popper fastenings, with loopback material on the opposite side mimicking the sweats worn ahead of the game. A woven heel stripe runs down the back heel in orange and cream, bringing back an element that was previously seen on the Converse x Footpatrol One Star, which forms a narrative for the ongoing partnership.
Sprung from a different background to the Chuck, the Jack Purcell Ox was originally built to be a badminton shoe but transcended its roots to become a thoroughbred lifestyle footwear option. It adopts the same dual-fabric construction as its basketball counterpart, with the medial side utilising the same warm-up inspired loopback material, with a patch overlay adding more character. This is mirrored on the lateral, with a patched overlay housed on a varsity-jacket styled woollen base.
The Converse Rubber Co. name appears once again, this time seen through a translucent outsole which has been yellowed for a vintage effect. The model’s trademark toe-cap “smile” is applied in red as the woven back heel stripe, which is also adopted by the Chuck (albeit in a different shade) to give the cross-sports silhouettes a bit more common ground.
Both models feature a throwback print inside the tongue with a name box, and the “smile if you’re a player” motto taken from old school Jack Purcell print adverts, which we believe references the painted curve on the rubber toe-cap.
Subtle leather trims on the tongue complete both silhouettes as seen the heavyweight sleeves of varsity jackets. A patchwork reversible hoody continues the collegiate theme, completing what can only be described as an incredibly thought-out and considered collaboration from the esteemed retailer.
The CONVERSE X FOOTPATROL COLLECTION is due to release on SATURDAY 6 APRIL: hit the banner below for full stockist information.