It would appear that iconic shoe brand Converse and Japanese jewellery brand Ambush have collaborated again for the launch of a new capsule footwear collection with the star shoe being a wading boot titled the CTAS Duck Boot. Fun!
Alongside the boot, Converse and Ambush have juxtaposed the utilitarian CTAS Duck Boot with the classic silhouette of the Chuck 70, which is offered with an upper crafted in wild shearling, available in both Navy and Black, which creates a fuzzy, extravagant shoe, both a far-away lean from the usual relaxed, understated silhouettes Converse is so well known for, with the bones of a classic Chuck 70.
The wading boot itself pays homage to the fact that Converse began as a rubber company over a century ago. In light of this, Ambush creative director Yoon Ahn decided to play into the brands roots. The result? A rubber wading boot which references modern Converse design notes with the brands DNA, in a genderless iteration of a classic. “The foundation of the shoes is the Chuck Taylor All Star, which has always been a sneaker for everyone and this coincides with Yoon’s approach to design - one agnostic of a muse defined by gender or other classification. In chapter two, we used a lot of that same aesthetic language - functionality and durability still remains, albeit with fresh new design and irreverent style,” says Converse Global Design Director for Footwear, Matthew Sleep in a press release.
As mentioned, the sole of the boot references the outsole of the Chuck Taylor All Star Lugged, for enhanced outsole traction and lift. The base was developed with the Lugged in mind, and built upwards, with functionality and weather resistance being a key priority in the design. Ahn's vision was genderless at its inception, and the realised product is just that, one characteristic that strays from the classic Lugged offering (which was only available in women's sizing). “I believe that there is no distinct line between what is distinctly men’s or women’s in the sneaker world. I designed these pieces to offer functionality and fun, while they carry us into the destination we are heading to every day with ease,” Ahn commented on his design process.
The offering is available in two hues: a neutral Black and a second in a bright Blue. Both colour ways are complete with Ambush branding, lace loops and bold sizing stamped at the heel. Converse x Ambush CTAS Duck Boot and Chuck 70 Fuzzy is available from November 24 at Converse.com.au, ambushdesign.com
