AMBUSH Puts a Futuristic Spin on Converse Classics

Tokyo-based fashion label AMBUSH has joined forces with Converse to release two new sneaker styles. To celebrate the collaboration Converse hosted an event in a warehouse in Hackney, featuring a conversation with AMBUSH’s creative director and founder Yoon Ahn curated by journalist and filmmaker Fenn O’Meally, followed by drinks and DJ sets.

SHOWstudio went to the launch event on Saturday to find out all the details about the collaboration, including Ahn’s top tips for cleaning the sneakers (‘alcohol’), her start in the creative industries (‘graphic design’), and if we can expect any more collabs in the future: ‘the answer is yes!’

The Converse x AMBUSH collaboration comes off the back of AMBUSH’s previous collection with Converse’s parent company Nike in 2018. Ahn's newest release sees a mixing of Japanese brand AMBUSH’s graphic utilitarian styling mixed with Converse staples, resulting in two functional and futuristic shoes.

Ahn’s inspiration came from ‘thinking about travelling and being on the road and needing a shoe that can work with different outfits, one that's just easy’ as well as being ‘tough and robust.’ Having been a fan of Converse from a young age - her first memory of Converse ‘was wearing the classic black Chucks as a child,’ - Ahn was excited to work with the rich heritage of the lifestyle brand. She was able to visit the Converse archives in Massachusetts, where a military boot made out of rubber called the Extreme Cold Weather Boot stood out to her. From there, Ahn worked with the Converse design team to take elements from the Extreme Cold Weather Boot, such as the matte rubber and tough sole, and used them to experiment with the silhouettes and fabrics of the Converse Chuck 70 and Pro Leather styles. 

Ahn's experimentations are now available: The Converse x AMBUSH Pro Leather comes in a black rubberized material, with matte overlays and a gusseted tongue for stability and insulation, while the Converse x AMBUSH Chuck 70 is available in a cream colourway with a matte toe cap, platform midsole and AMBUSH branding at heel. In addition to both shoes featuring monochromatic colourways, the sneakers feature matching black or cream laces. The re-imagined products feature exaggerated proportions and a futuristic shaped heel as well as bold AMBUSH branding to give an edge to this classic basketball sneaker.

Prices start at £140 and are available at Converse.com and select retailers globally from 19 October.