Converse celebrates the launch of 1Hund(Red)

Converse announces the launch of 1Hund(Red) Artists footwear collaboration, consisting of 100 striking footwear designs by 100 artists from the worlds of music, art, sport and fashion, using their own interpretations of the figure 100 and (Product) Red as their art inspiration.

The year-long global curation project was designed to promote and preserve culture to further support Converse’s long-term partnership with (PRODUCT) RED. Artists were sent a design kit (pictured) consisting of a blank Chuck Taylor shoe, pens, pencils, RED background info, and art materials to help assist them in their creative process. Each of the artists returned their unique takes on the classic sneaker silhouette for Converse to begin manufacturing the shoes in the collaboration.

Artists include quirky fashion designer Dr. Romanelli who has used an overlapping bandage/plaster effect representing Africa’s healing process to Portuguese artist Ana Ventura, Australian singer songwriter Jeremyville, South African creative team Warwick Kay to name a few.

A simple but effective design; ‘Netted Together’ was thought up by US shoe designer Ginger Jones (Artist #25). Based on a mosquito net, this Chuck Taylor shoe features mosquitoes on a white canvas upper with a mesh overlap to represent protection against the disease. “In Africa malaria infections have actually increased over the last three decades. It’s an unnecessary cause of death in children there,” she says. “I hope my design creates an invitation to playfully interpret what flows into our lives.”

Portuguese artist Ana Ventura has based her design on the is another artist to contribute to the 1 HUND(RED) collection and her shoe is due to be released this Autumn. Her design comes from the idea of communication over distance no matter their background. Using the shoelace as the “thread of communication” her design depicts characters from all backgrounds communicating with each other to help eradicate the threat of Aids.”

South African design team Orange Juice, led by Warwick Kay, features the Ribbon of hope embracing the African continent and a crown – all icons demonstrative of Kay’s message of hope for AIDS sufferers, that there can be victory against the debilitating disease.

The inspiring project also includes a special collaboration with Michael White incorporating the artwork of his late brother - the acclaimed graffiti artist - Dondi White. Using a Pro Leather 76 oxford shoe silhouette in black leather and suede with laser etched and stitched embroidery graffiti detailing, the shoe is set to become a cult classic.

2008 is the year of the Converse Century, celebrating 100 years of disrupting the status quo. The RED collection is one part of a wider range of footwear collections released by the brand designed to celebrate their Centenary. To recognise the people who have made Converse the cultural icon it is today, Converse has incorporated original designs, product collaborations and re-issues of classic shoes into their footwear range for the coming season.

Available globally during the whole of 2008, the innovative designs in the 1HUND(RED) footwear collection each have a distinctive story behind their creation. Each style is numbered to identify the artist behind the design and the Converse website has a dedicated area giving full information about the artists and their inspiration.

10% of the net wholesale price of the Converse 1HUND(RED) Artists footwear collection goes to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Geneva, Switzerland). For more information about the Converse Centenary and the 1HUND(RED) Artists collection visit Converse.com.