Marrying a skate and music-inspired heritage with the diverse spirit of New York, Converse, and Awake NY have introduced their first collaborative collection.  This debut capsule from the Converse x Awake NY partnership celebrates the burgeoning skate and alternative music scene that blossomed in New York City in the early ‘90s, which coincided with Converse’s reintroduction of the 1974 All Star as the One Star.

Launched by Queens native Angelo Baque in 2012, the Awake NY reflects the diversity that defines New York City’s landscape and captures the spirit and sensibility of the five boroughs.  This silhouette was embraced by and embedded into the skate and alternative communities, which popularized apparel and sneakers salvaged from the ‘70s.

“The One Star always connects back to the early ‘90s punk and alternative artists I really admired, whether it be Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, or the Beastie Boys—music that typically you wouldn’t assume people where I’m from would listen to, or wear a pair of the One Star,” Baque says, reminiscing on his teenage years. “If you wore a pair of One Stars back then, you didn’t subscribe to the social norms.” This collaboration commemorates these memories.

The Converse x Awake NY capsule includes three takes on the One Star Pro, executed in black, blue, and white sand colorways. The Awake NY’s script logo is embroidered on the latter side of the vintage suede upper, which is completed by co-branded sock liners and license plates. The One Star Pro silhouette is crafted for skateboarders and features exceptional board feel and impact cushioning thanks to a CONS traction rubber outsole and molded CX sockliner. The silhouette’s low profile adds tonal flexibility, while a rubber-backed suede upper offers durability.

The three-piece, functional apparel assortment includes a cotton rugby jersey shirt, featuring satin-stitch embroidery branding at the center chest and a water-based large back print, a two-toned fleece hoodie with a blue contrast hood, and a cotton jersey tee.

The Converse x Awake NY collection is now available from R 899,95 – R 1999,95 only from Converse Sandton City, Converse Gateway Theatre of Shopping, and Converse Menlyn Shopping Centre.

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