Converse Delve Into the Worlds of Basketball and Skating
Written by SOURCE on May 10, 2023
Converse have delved into the worlds of skating and basketball with the release of two silhouettes, the brand new AS-1 Pro and the Weapon silo of ‘86.
Both styles boast sophisticated design, in both their respective design processes as well as the shoes themselves. The AS-1 Pro was co-created by pro-skater, Olympian and architect Alexis Sablone, while the Weapon received a revamp from fragment design’s Hiroshi Fujiwara.
The AS-1 Pro is a statement of Converse’s vision for the future. It’s Sablone’s debut shoe and predominantly a skating one, but easily doubles as a lifestyle shoe that appeals to all.
As far as the design process goes, over the last year, Sablone has worked with Converse to concept a new creation in a way that few other athletes can. As someone who has seamlessly bridged the worlds of skating and design for years, Alexis holds a unique perspective. Not only is she one of the most highly regarded skaters in the sport—with unmatched, raw power on the board—she also understands the mechanics of design. Her combined knowledge was central in conceptualising a new sneaker that optimises feel, ride, and responsiveness.
Converse Design Director Damien Silver says, “This shoe is made for all, whether it’s for skateboarding style mavens, artists, athletes [or the] streets, the AS-1 Pro is ready to go anywhere you’ll take it.”
The revered Weapon silhouette is also making its return, pulled from the depths of Converse’s archives. First released in 1986, the Weapon was only on the market for two years. So why is it making its comeback now? The answer involves the legendary Hiroshi Fujiwara of fragment design.
Converse have previously worked alongside Furjiwara on reimagined releases of the Chuck Taylor and One Star—and ultimately landed on the Weapon silo for the next collab.
“As I was looking for a shoe to work on with Converse, I immediately thought the Weapon would be good for me. It’s a classic shoe I used to wear in my childhood,” says Fujiwara.
The Weapon’s reintroduction into the sneaker world has been long awaited. While the Weapon was a cult classic in the basketball community during its short reign back in the 80s, it became associated with other cultures—which is why Fujiwara’s collaboration was necessary for the shoe’s re-release. For him, it’s closely associated with skating and the rich history of fragment design’s work.
“We believe [it] to be a legendary collab … It stays authentic to both fragment’s signature [style] and the Weapon’s original form, blending the best of both worlds,” says Converse’s Senior Director of Product Merchandise, George Levels.
You can cop the AS-1 Pro online and in store, and the Weapon on May 11.
