Aaron Hope 
Here’s a closer look at a collaborative project we previewed last week here on Sneaker News, the Comme des Garçons PLAY x Converse capsule for spring 2011. That post focused on a pair of cream colored canvas Converse Jack Purcells but it turns out four different editions are on the way. There are now two each of the ‘natural’ canvas and black leather, each duo of which is in turn divided into one pair with a red heart logo and another with a black/white contrast. Click through to see all four pairs and look for these along with some Comme des Garcons x Converse Chuck Taylors at select retailers this March.
Today, Converse Inc. announced its next collaboration with Comme des Garçons PLAY, now with the Jack Purcell shoe.
Building on the notable success of the Spring 2010 collaboration between Converse and Comme des Garçons PLAY, the two brands have reunited for Spring 2011. The four new styles echo the sublime simplicity of the first collaboration with the classic Chuck Taylor All Star shoe, but instead bring PLAY’s signature heart-with-eyes logo to another Converse classic, the Jack Purcell shoe.
Comme des Garçons PLAY is the more casual, streetwear-influenced line from the pioneering, avant-garde Japanese label, which was founded by Rei Kawakubo in 1969. The driving ethos of PLAY lies in timeworn and eternally relevant wardrobe classics like the pique polo shirt, sailor striped t-shirt and woolen camel cardigan all affixed with the irreverent, cartoony logo designed by New York graphic artist Filip Pagowski. With the look of a graffiti tag, the PLAY logo brings an air of subversion to the label—a perfect fit for the Jack Purcell shoe which was born in the very proper environs of the badminton court but later worn by style icons who didn’t play by the rules.
The collection includes two black canvas and two natural canvas shoes, with one of each color graced with the black heart Comme des Garçons PLAY logo and the other with a red heart version.
As a part of Converse First String, Converse’s premium product line that celebrates craftsmanship, authenticity and pure expression, the shoes will be available in limited quantities. The shoes will be available in March 2011 for the suggested retail price of $110. Shoes will be available in sizes 3 – 13 at Comme des Garçons stores worldwide including Dover Street Market in London and select Comme des Garçons stockists.
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