Converse has revealed their 2021 Pride collection, “inspired by stories from five LGBTQIA+ All Stars,” the Nike-owned brand said.
This year, the collection will benefit the It Gets Better Project, who Converse is partnering with to bring the young Converse fans (or “All-Stars”) to the video social network TikTok and streaming network Twitch.
Related: Out teen sensation JoJo Siwa has a “Strawberry Bop” cereal coming out during Pride
The collection includes the brand’s signature Chuck Taylor All-Star, Chuck 70, and Run Star Hike sneakers — all available in Hi-rise, Lo-rise, and platform shoe forms.
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For the first time, the company is also making Pride edition of their slides available as well.
Additionally, you can order Converse shoes and products to your customization with Converse By You, the company’s online tool for customers to get exactly the shoe they want.
Customizable options include the “All Star” patch, license plate, and laces, according to the brand.
All products are available now at Converse.com/C/Pride.
In addition to It Gets Better, Converse is pledging grants to the Ali Forney Center, BAGLY and OUT MetroWest — LGBTQ centers and organizations based in New York City, Boston, and Framingham, Massachusetts, respectively.
The Converse Pride collection proudly benefits our longtime partners: @ItGetsBetter, @BAGLYInc, @OUTMetroWest, and @AliForneyCenter.
— Converse (@Converse) May 18, 2021
The five people that inspired this year’s collection — Caleb of Cape Town, South Africa; Rocio of Santiago, Chile; Tereza of Prague, Czech Republic; Ty of Los Angeles; and Xandro, of Manila, Philippines — all have their own unique shoe designs, and their struggles and triumphs as LGBTQ people around the world are detailed on the Converse website.
Xandro, for example (seen in the tweet below), transitioned from a “shy, girly little boy” to a “proud gay man.”
Ty also had to “shed years of conversion therapy and self-doubt” before coming out. “It feels amazing comparing where I am now to where I was,” he’s quoted alongside his design.
Caleb (seen in the Instagram post below) “used glitter to represent each individual and their sparkle” in his design.
By and for the LGBTQIA+ community, the 2021 Converse Pride collection pays homage to everyone’s individual journey of finding joy and freedom in being themselves.
Get to know the All Stars behind the campaign & shop here: https://t.co/2bK8VpCI5t pic.twitter.com/IcyVhJFUh5
— Converse (@Converse) May 19, 2021
Converse also introduced a collection using the late, legendary out artist Keith Haring’s signature artwork, in collaboration with the Keith Haring Foundation.
“Since releasing its first Pride collection in 2015, Converse is proud to have donated more than $1.3 million in support of local and global LGBTQIA+ organizations, with contributions supporting safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth, education on issues directly impacting the community, and essential resources needed during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the company said in a statement.
Keith Haring’s art gets a bold new canvas. Our Chuck 70, Run Star Hike, Chuck Taylor All Star and Pro Leather all pay homage to the prolific artist’s iconic drawings.
Drop date & more: https://t.co/7N2JY2D7an
Artwork © Keith Haring Foundation.
Licensed by Artestar, New York pic.twitter.com/dx7u1h6j3a— Converse (@Converse) May 10, 2021