QUICK TAKE:
END. drops its first collaboration of the year, working with Converse to create a pack of sneakers fusing the brand’s brick and mortar history with the US-based footwear brand’s timeless aesthetic. The iconic Chuck Taylor 1970 High and Jack Purcell models get an architecture-inspired makeover, giving them the name “Blueprint” pack. Check out more details below.
DESIGN:
END. provides two unique colorways that both speak to the central theme of the planning stages of architectural design. The Chuck Taylor 1970 Hi comes in a black and white colorway, with the Jack Purcell dressed up in a natural ivory coating. Both sneakers are embellished with contrast stitching and printed grid patterns, representing a floor plan. Ensuring continuity between both styles, END. and Converse employed a semi-transparent TPU film across various portions of the uppers. Both shoes also feature co-branded insoles, translucent outsoles with emerald green pop within, and finally emerald green boxes that match the sneaker’s outsoles and upper print patterns.
ANALYSIS:
END. took inspiration from the original plans for its flagship store in London’s Soho district. This first collaborative project of 2020 is on par with the brand’s 2019 collaborations, which were well thought-out colorways with rich back stories behind them.
The simplicity of the “Blueprint” pack upper coloring is maximized by the other details the brand worked with Converse to add: translucent soles encasing emerald green pop, interesting print design and translucent TPU hits on the upper. The use of clear TPU film, in particular, is something that makes this collaboration stand out among other Converse projects.
It is interesting to note that the theme of the project continues to run with 2019’s focus on design, which was largely led by Virgil Abloh projects that produced a variety of projects that appeared to show the design process in the final process.
RELEASE DATE:
Both the END. x Converse Chuck 70 Hi ‘Blueprint’ ($125) and the END. x Converse Jack Purcell Ox ‘Blueprint’ release on February 2nd. Head over to End.com now to enter the raffle for the two pairs, respectively.
Kickbeast 