Weeks after releasing its Pride collection in partnership with LGBTQIA+ youth members, Converse continues to platform minority voices, this time with pro CONS skater and multi-field creative Alexis Sablone. Breaking barriers, Sablone and Converse have created a limited release of a Pride Jack Purcell Pro, the brand’s first pro skate Pride shoe.
Converse’s ongoing efforts to promote and enforce wellbeing within the skate community comes about this time as a nod to the queer community. The white shoe features rubber-backed leather embossed with a Lambda pattern, a symbol used by the LGBTQIA+ community in the 70s to convey their queerness. The Jack Purcell Pro shows off the ‘More Colour, More Pride’ flag on its woven heel tab. The tongue presents an embroidered transgender symbol in front of a yellow edge, a reminder that Pride embraces gender identity just as it does sexuality. To finish the shoe off, its sockliner features the printed “Proud” on a light blue lining.
Speaking on the collaboration, Sablone states “A pride shoe stands for something powerful, and, as a queer person myself, it’s very personal. A decade ago, the concept of a ‘pride shoe’ didn’t exist”. He goes on to say “It means a lot to get to design something people can wear that says, ‘I’m proud of my identity’ or ‘I’m an ally’ and support this movement and community”.
The Alexis Sablone Pride Jack Purcell Pro shoes, which retail at £75, are available on Converse’s website from today, June 4.
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