Customize@ConverseOne

I came across this advertisement to design your very own pair of converse, which would be made and delivered within 4 weeks. I felt the need to try it out. 

Of course Nike - who as of 2003 have owned Converse - have had Nike I.D. for years so it is unsurprising that they would introduce the idea to the Chuck Taylor All Stars, Jack Purcells and the Skate shoes. 

Despite Nike doing a good job in mainly sticking to the Converse traditions, I do feel that the idea of designing your own pair goes against the grain a little. Converse throughout the decades, has been representative of so many youthful sub-cultures who used the shoe as a blank canvas for creativity: to draw on, to paint, to sew, to show your personality. It was the role of Nike sneaks to have slick, polished designs but Converse always represented the complete opposite. 

Perhaps it's just the teenager in me that isn't quite ready to accept that Converse "sold-out".