Vince Staples is not afraid to share his opinion. And it’s his delivery that is known to start a conversation.
The 24-year-old Long Beach native melds thoughtful social commentary into subversive raps dropped over house beats. This unique approach has left him outside of the parameters that traditionally classify many rappers.
It’s the intrigue around him as an individual — his demeanor, his unassuming style — that made his Big Fish Theory one the most discussed albums of 2017. It’s his undeniable talent and storytelling ability that made it one of the top recordings of the last year.
On January 25, Converse and Vince Staples celebrate Big Fish Theory in the first collaborative capsule collection between the brand and artist, applying the album’s motifs onto Chuck 70 sneakers and Converse Essentials apparel.
Staples, a long-standing Converse collaborator, sought creative ways of interpreting Big Fish Theory into wearable merchandise. Having grown up with the influence of west coast culture and wearing Converse Chuck Taylors, the silhouette maintains its relevance with Staples, who bought his first pair to go with his school uniform at a swap meet.
“If you’re not really paying that much attention, you won’t know the difference. But [the Chuck] is something that a lot of people use to be able to assimilate into any room they’re going into — every type of person,” says Staples.
The collection’s key colorway, orange, is a nod to the goldfish on his album cover. This bright color contrasts the collection’s darker tones to make for highly visible gear. Both the Hi and Ox Chuck 70s are built with an aquarium sockliner, Big Fish Theory graphic outsole and “Vince Staples” embroidered on the medial collar. The Chuck 70 Hi boasts a “Big Fish” screen print in orange that stands out against the sneaker’s black tongue.
“The story of the Chuck Taylor is accessibility and culture,” notes Staples.
A common design element throughout the collection is the “SEA” graphic, a tribute to Staples’ signature brand and successful Beats 1 podcast, Section Eight Arthouse Broadcast System. The “SEA” of the Chuck 70s is 3D printed onto the heel with the “A” placed to cross with the heel stay and transfer onto the foxing tape. On the Essentials hoodie, the “SEA” graphic is centered on the back, making a bold statement against the 360 Legacy French Terry.
The Converse x Vince Staples collection is available January 25 on converse.com and at select retailers.
Source: Nike
