Pleasures x Converse Pro Leather

The Converse Pro Leather Meets Punk Via PLEASURES

The LA-based brand known for irreverent graphics introduces a new side of the iconic basketball silhouette.

Growing up, PLEASURES co-founder Alex James was part of the punk scene, listening and taking inspiration from the icons of the 80s & 90s. Although interested in bringing his love for the movement to life through fashion, he couldn’t find a direct entryway into the industry without formal training. But, in true punk spirit, Alex used the tools he had and built his own door. In the Summer of 2015, PLEASURES—A Mood. An Emotion. An Altered State of Being—debuted, bringing with it Alex’s unique take on the culture that shaped him and how he interprets the world today. When the opportunity to collaborate with Converse presented itself, Alex didn’t have to think twice. For him, there is an undeniable synergy between the two brands and the culture they represent. Converse naturally became a staple of 80s punk culture when the Chuck Taylor All Star showed up on the feet of the musicians and bands defining the movement—a connection not lost on Alex and his team.

At the same time during the 80s, the Pro Leather silhouette was being worn by legends, like Dr. J, on the hardwood. These two moments in time have run parallel to each other…until now. Converse x PLEASURES highlights the versatility of the Pro Leather, showing how easily it moves from sport to a canvas for punk and creative expression. The collection utilizes the silhouette as a vehicle for print, with black and white graphics inspired by the street art Alex grew up seeing in NY and LA. For Alex, the silhouette represents the idea that each generation needs to teach the next about where their creative references stem.

The Converse Pro Leather x Pleasures brings Sneakersnstuff down to Berlin to highlight the tremendous link-up, portraying two of Berlin’s most exciting breakthrough artists Naim and Lipa, who set the stage in a Berlin state of mind. Precisely 30 years after the fall of the wall, the ever-changing inner-city landscape of Germany´s capital is now more evident than ever, building up rage and rebellion, that has been the DNA of the city ever since. A fast-paced environment, short moments & rough snapshots of dreams inspire our two talents that tap into a culture that challenges young creatives to be peerless while fitting into an image of today’s status quo. Breaking the barriers with their dreams, Lipa and Naim just started their future now.

The Pleasures x Converse Pro Leather is available online at Sneakersnstuff.com on November 21st. Keep your eyes open for our Launch Event in Berlin on Nov 22nd to experience Lipa & Naim on stage.

We welcome you to the offical release party of the Pleasures x Converse Pro Leather in Berlin on November 22nd. Sign up here to be part of the experience in our Club below the SNS Store in Berlin.