Matt Varga Anyone who’s been invested in sneakers knows that regionality can be a controversial topic. What’s far less controversial are local dance scenes, unabashed points of pride for cities all over the United States. Even trying to put our hometown bias to the side, New York City has always brought an incredibly diverse mosaic to the culture, from vogue in the 1980s to litefeet beginning in the 2000s.
That spirit sits at the heart of Foot Locker and Converse’s “Made to Move” campaign, which put Litefeet front and center through the lens of some of the scene’s own talent. Waffle Kozic, Taylah Gvng, and Tah Swag served as the campaign’s main characters, bringing their distinct styles and unmistakable energy to a story rooted in movement and self-expression. Following the campaign, Foot Locker and Converse brought that energy back to where it belongs — the community — with an event dedicated to celebrating the culture, the dancers, and the scene that continues to push Litefeet forward.
As Converse works through their various eras via the Chuck Taylor Throwback, the Boston brand and Foot Locker teamed up to celebrate that local dance style in The Bronx. Touching down at La Bodega Studio in Mott Haven, the two brands came together to host an all-out celebration of Litefeet. The evening was hosted by Litefeet Awards, enlisting scene legends like Lucky Banks, Hype Girl, and Jay Wavy to put on their judges’ hats for the wall-to-wall competitions.
Three dance battles and one producer battle took place, giving some shine to the high-tempo soundtrack that lives underneath every ankle break and shoe trick. All participants got a pair of Chuck Taylor Throwbacks for showing off their moves and some lucky guests were hooked up with Foot Locker gift cards, but the ultimate winner at the end of the night went home with a custom gold Chuck Taylor Throwback trophy.
This community event came as Converse is diversifying their Chuck Taylor family, certainly keeping the OG in rotation but taking it in new directions to capitalize on the model’s diverse strengths throughout the years. The Chuck Taylor Throwback specifically takes the icon back to the turn of the century, when chunky styles ruled supreme. That manifests in a fatter lace, a wider sole, and sized-up details throughout the profile. As far as on-foot feel, that means these are a more forgiving wear, a bit more spacious and soft that your average Chuck.
All told, the shoes and moves on display were perfect mirrors for one another, both paying respect and carrying the flag for the originators, but bringing modern flair and attitude while doing it. Catch some shots from the event included below. You can grab a pair of the Converse Chuck Taylor Throwback for yourself using the link HERE.
