Behind the Canvas – Episode One: The Converse Archive

We were recently fortunate enough to be given a rare opportunity to travel to the Converse Global HQ in Boston, to visit their Archive and learn more about the brand that started over 110 years ago. Converse are known for creating some of the most iconic footwear in the world, and we were given the chance to go behind the curtain and learn about how the brand established itself around the world.

Behind the Canvas is a new series of exclusive films produced by size? in collaboration with Converse. Each episode will focus on the rich heritage and exciting products of the brand and how it continues to make progress for and with the youth of today.

We sat down with the Converse Archivist, Sam Smallidge, who kindly talked us through their rich history. He shed light on the brand’s humble beginnings in 1908, the origins of the Chuck Taylor All Star as a basketball shoe and the introduction of new features, patterns and prints that are recrafted today on the Chuck 70.

The Converse Archive is one of the most comprehensive we’ve ever visited, host to more than 10,000 brand artefacts, products and advertising from all across the globe. Having all of these original pieces at the disposal of their design and product teams is an invaluable tool, serving as an inspiration point and providing historical context as they create product for the youth of today.

[hamish]

Great editing and interesting info. More content like this pls!

[yaboi_mac]

I wish that converse can retro the original converse chuck Taylor that is brownish and black brown

[hajamohideenmohamedhasan]

Please now days there is no converse shoes seller in India. can anyone tell me where to buy .

[princessdollyllama]

Has anyone ever seen the wide toe 1T957 Converse low?

[nanscom]

Please repro the Made in USA (jack purcell, all star, one star (that have many star in front of the shoe))

[brandonpaulin]

I hate the new patches now. On the regular and 70s Chucks. The patches on the regular chucks that are seasonal colors are only black/white. And ALL of the 70s Chucks patches are black/white. Whatever happened to almost ALWAYS keeping the patches RED WHITE and BLUE?

[nanscom]

Converse All Star will be great again if you repro the Jack Purcell, One Star and All Star made in USA that have been weared by Kurt Cobain. (no need to put the cobain signature there)

[jonathanoxlade]

Everyone wearing yeezys yet the peaple in the 70s wore this yet can get a decent shoe for under £100 fuck yeezys I already got a decent arch fit work shoes just need a pair of walking sneakers that will last longer