Maison Martin Margiela x Converse SS2014 'First String' Jack Purcell Low Top

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

Maison Martin Margiela’s collaboration with Converse in 2014 was an homage to both brands’ original designs and philosophies. The collection featured two of Converse’s classic silhouettes: the Chuck Taylor and the Jack Purcell, upgraded with supple leather and entirely coated in white paint. With wear, the paint would slowly deteriorate revealing the base colour beneath: red, blue, amber or navy, Converse’s heritage colour-ways.

For Martin Margiela, the colour white is symbolic of anonymity, and is intrinsic to the brand. When Margiela first founded his namesake label in 1989, he painted everything white, from the floors to the furniture of his showroom. His iconic tabi boots were often repainted white after runway shoes to be reused for future collections due to financial constraints. This, as well as Margiela’s hallmark plain white label gave the brand an air of mystery in an era where statements made with colourful branding was everything. In the case of the 2014 collaboration with Converse, Margiela’s white paint somewhat poetically deteriorates and reveals their true colours with the passing of time.

These sneakers are the classic low-top Jack Purcell silhouette, known for their rubber toe cap which was originally designed for Badminton in the 1930’s. Everything including the upper canvas, shoelaces, and eyelets have been coated with white paint which has begun to crumble, revealing aspects of the deep navy colour below. The shoes themselves are constructed from high quality leather that moulds to the wearers’ foot with use.

Condition: 8.5/10 - Some light wear and typical deterioration of paint.

Composition:

100% Textile Upper

100% Leather Lining

100% Rubber Outsole

SIZE & FIT:

Size: US 10 / UK 10

Fit: We recommend you go half a size down, ideal for a true US 9.5