Brendan Dunne 
Parisian mainstay colette is hopping off the New Balance train for a minute, prepping a special pair of sneakers with classic American footwear brand Converse. Pictured here is the pair in question, one whose white canvas is don up with the cartoony art of Kevin Lyons, and all in a blue that seems to aim at the shop’s sensibilities. Stay with us after the jump for the full look at the Kevin Lyons x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star for colette which will only be available at their spot in Paris and let us know where you rank these in terms of collabo Chucks,
via Nike INC
Today, Converse Inc. announces the launch of the Holiday 2012 Converse x Kevin Lyons Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker for colette. An artist, designer and typographer, Kevin Lyons is globally recognized for his unique “monster” characters and illustrations. Using the classic Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker as a canvas, Lyons fuses his characteristic style with Converse, creating a limited edition sneaker available exclusively at the colette boutique in Paris.
“Like Kevin Lyons incredible artwork, the Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker is an original, and has been connected with artists for decades, says Penny Ericson, Vice President, Converse Jack Purcell and Premium. “Cnverse and colette have long been fans of Kevin Lyons and felt his distinctive work was the perfect match for both brands.”
Internationally renowned, Lyons’ work has graced hundreds of galleries and magazines across the globe and has been featured in collaborative products ranging from t-shirts to skate boards. His illustrations have long been a favorite of, and often featured at colette, the Parisian boutique with a cult-following that specializes in unique, luxurious and inspiring fashion. Today, New York City based Lyons operates a premier street-style clothing label called Natural Born.
“The Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker is the perfect blank canvas,”says Kevin Lyons. “I always noticed that Sarah Colette rocked Chucks every day and she has always been a huge supporter of me and the art I create. Therefore, the collaboration only seemed natural.”
Leaving the silhouette of the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker intact and original, Lyons’ version of the sneaker includes his signature Monster drawings applied in colette’s signature blue across the sneaker’s white canvas uppers. With the words “colette” and “Converse” appearing in the monster’s mouths, the characters rally and party across both sides of the sneakers. Rounding out the design, blue graces the sneaker’s logo patch, rubber racing stripes and outsole, and interchangeable blue laces.
Converse First String is a limited-edition collection that celebrates craftsmanship, authenticity and collaboration at the highest level. Only 125 pairs of the Kevin Lyons for Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoes will be available, beginning on December 10, 2012 at colette in Paris. All shoes will retail for a MSRP of $90 and will be available in unisex sizing 3 – 13.
