Aaron Hope 
British boutique The Hideout offers the world’s best streetwear from its spot in London’s Westminster district, their most notable contribution to the sneaker scene having come two summers ago when they helped launch the Air Footscape Woven as part of the LIVESTRONG greatest hits pack. These new Hideout x Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars are downright refined by comparison, their smooth-soled and leather-accented premium design occupying the opposite end of the spectrum relative to the ‘Hamsters’. Click through for a closer look at the black hightops along with brick red and grey lowtops and look for these starting July 4th at The Hideout with Converse First String retailers stocking their shipments two Saturdays later on the 16th.
Today, Converse Inc. announces The Hideout for Converse Chuck Taylor All Star limited-edition collection for Fall 2011. Introducing a high-top and two low-top Chuck Taylor All Star versions, each has clear Converse DNA and The Hideout’s stamp of refined street style.
“The Chuck Taylor All Star shoe is a design icon. It has transcended its simplicity to become a badge of independence and a staple of street style. The Hideout represents those same elements, making this collaboration an excellent representation of what both brands stand for,” says Ian Ginoza, Converse Director of First String and Special Projects.
Possibly one of the most recognizable designs in footwear, the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoe was the natural collaboration choice for London-based retail store The Hideout. The Hideout, which champions a refined approach to basics, embraced the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe as an icon of minimal, clean, utilitarian design and chose to emphasize and enhance those elements with subtle details. The result are three all-new, stylish versions of the shoe with two low-tops in heavy duty duck canvas and a high-top in suede. Each feature thoughtful details like triple-needle fabrication that make the shoes more rugged, yet still true to the original design. The triple-stitch detail also evokes quality work-wear and utilitarian clothing, echoing Hideout’s principle of featuring only utility-styled goods. Other details include contrasting canvas heel stripes with stitched leather overlay detailing. Rounding out the design, the shoes look extra crisp and fresh with their clean white soles and a black license plate logo on the heel.
“We view the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe as a perfected everyday item. Its design has transcended generations and subcultures and fits alongside Hideout’s history with street style and our reverence to basics and utility,” says Hideout founder Michael Kopelman.
The Hideout debuted in London in 1999 and has become globally recognized as a top destination for premium streetwear brands. One of London’s original streetwear boutiques, Kopelman’s Hideout has pioneered the movement and the brands associated with it. Utilitarian basics are a hallmark of Hideout’s curated offerings and Kopelman has become widely known as one of the world’s most formidable authorities on streetwear.
As a part of Converse First String, Converse’s high-level product line that celebrates craftsmanship, authenticity and pure expression, each shoe will be available in limited quantities. Shoes will retail for a MSRP of $70 and will be available in white or burgundy low top canvas or in black high top suede. The high-top includes an embossed monochromatic Chuck Taylor All Star leather logo patch and all feature high-level construction throughout.
The Hideout for Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoes will be available in unisex sizes 3 – 13 beginning on July 4, 2011 at The Hideout in London and at select Converse First String retailers globally on July 16, 2011. For locations visit: (www.hideoutstore.com).
