Did you know that Converse provided sneakers to Black Fives Era teams back in the early 1920s? Last week, Converse unofficially began celebrating its 100th anniversary at its SoHo showroom in New York City by holding a Press Preview for a special centennial product line it will unveil for Spring 2008. They call it the [...]
Did you know that Converse provided sneakers to Black Fives Era teams back in the early 1920s?
Last week, Converse unofficially began celebrating its 100th anniversary at its SoHo showroom in New York City by holding a Press Preview for a special centennial product line it will unveil for Spring 2008. They call it the “Converse Century Footwear Collection.”
We’ll get into more details in a later post but for now, here is a sneak peak at the Black Fives Century Premium Pack, which is one portion of the portfolio of Black Fives footwear they will offer as part of their centennial.
The Converse Century Footwear Look Book (below) will be a collector’s item all by itself.
 |
Black Fives got the first tab in the book, either because ours is a “first tab” brand (!) or because “B” is near the beginning of the alphabet. Which do you think?
 |
The shoe in the middle is Converse’s original rubber-soled basketball shoe, which was worn by the New York Rens. I’m told that there will only be several hundred of the individual styles of the Black Fives Century Pack (below) available in each continent. Each style comes in its own wooden box and will be available in January 2008, with prices ranging from $150-$200. Wow! The box better be included!
 |
I am really happy with what and how Converse is doing so far with Black Fives. I think they get it. It’s, well, heartwarming. What do you think? We’ll have a sneak peak at some more Black Fives styles by Converse, as well as more details, comments, and reactions really soon.
Claude Johnson
Founder & President
Black Fives, Inc.
Please donate. Your generous tax-deductible donation helps the Black Fives Foundation use this history to teach life lessons relevant today! Thank you!
The look of the shoes is very authentic and original at the same time. Count me in for a few pairs. Great to see the line continue.
Like / Dislike:
0 
0
Thanks Matt! Coming from you that’s hot! Claude
Like / Dislike:
0 
0
More info and pics here:
Dime Magazine: Converse Century
Bounce Magazine: Converse Century
The Converse Blog
Like / Dislike:
0 
0
Hopefully they come in women’s sizes! Cool, a real wooden box…the box itself seems like it could be a collectors item. Looking forward to the launch.
Like / Dislike:
0 
0
Smart looking site- welcome to the blogosphere.
Like / Dislike:
0 
0
Those shoes are hot, I really like the black ones.
Like / Dislike:
0 
0
I like the shoes. I want a pair! I don’t play basketball (unlike most of my Serbian brothers) but I’ll use them for walking!
Like / Dislike:
0 
0
[...] got a chance to check out the new Converse 2008 Century Collection at their special sneak peak down in SoHo the other day. The new collection features its own Black [...]
Like / Dislike:
0 
0
Claude, I am extremely proud of your accomplishment. I can’t wait to get my gear as soon as they are available. This line is going to change the industry!!! Continued success!
Like / Dislike:
0 
0
My man Claude, I’m impressed and I neeeeds these my brutha!! Count me in for the sneaks and anything else representational of the Blackfives. Thank you and much success in the future. Pleeese let me know when these items drop.
Like / Dislike:
0 
0