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Brand: Converse Japan
Season: Fall/Winter 2021
Release Date: August 24
Price: ￥10,450 (about $95)
Editor’s Notes: What’s in a shoe? If it’s Timberland‘s signature 6″: decades of Black culture ranging from Biggie Smalls‘ Brooklyn shout-outs to collaborations with streetwear institutions like Supreme and OVO. Converse Japan’s latest (and maybe wildest) All Star taps this legacy, with some .
This is hardly Converse Japan’s first pair of out-there All Stars. This year alone, it’s dropped slip-on wellies, gladiator sandals, and even some truly, uh, “inspired” cowboy boots, all using the humble Chuck Taylor as a base.
Just ahead of boot season, Converse Japan is lacing up yet another All Star, this time very clearly taking cues from the timeless Timberland 6″. It’s part of Converse Japan’s “BRAND-NEW VINTAGE” collection — which also yielded the cowboy boot — and is offered in two makes: classic “Wheat” and all-black. There’s a nubuck-like synthetic leather above, lug sole below, and a padded heel that makes the inspiration especially clear.
It’s worth reiterating that Converse Japan operates exclusively in Japan and it’s a totally independent company from the Nike-owned Converse. To make a long story short, wealthy Japanese investors acquired the Japanese Converse license in the ’80s and retained it to this day, meaning that it doesn’t pertain to the whims of the international market.
Even if these wacky All Star sneakerboots do eventually find their way overseas, though, there’s no doubt that Timberland will remain the undisputed footwear king of New York. Hell, given that Timberland’s 6″ boot is also incredibly popular in Japan, it begs the question of why these even exist, except for the sake of Converse cosplay.
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