Chuck 70

Much like its moniker, Ambush, founder Yoon Ahn's first collaboration with Converse capitalizes on the element of surprise. After pioneering a collaboration with Nike, Yoon set her sights on the Converse archive, having grown up a fan of the brand's storied heritage and adoption across cultures.

Originally founded as the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in 1908, ten rubber galoshes, Converse's first products, were produced on April 30, 1909. Tactical products such as leather duck hunting boots, wading boots, military footwear would be created throughout the brand's history.

On a trip to the Converse archive in Charlestown, MA, one silhouette acutely captured Yoon's discerning eye: the Extreme Cold Weather Boot. Affectionately known by the moniker "bunny boot", the Extreme Cold Weather Boot is a rubber military boot first developed in the 1950s and once produced by Converse.

It's with that eye that Ambush and Converse would begin to reconstruct a heritage of analog function for the modern street style consumer -- playing on two classic sport styles: the Converse Chuck 70 and Pro Leather.

Infusing Ambush's signature idiosyncratic, often utilitarian styling to both sneakers – the traditionally canvas and leather silhouettes are reworked with exaggerated proportions that appear to catapult them into space while protective elements ensure functionality on city streets.

With its heightened platform midsole, the Chuck 70 is clad in embellished rubber layering with extra height layered in the midsole. Overt external instructions define an aesthetic informed by the functional construction of the bunny boot and are complemented by bold Ambush branding on the silhouette's futuristic heel.

Further, the Chuck 70's coconut milk rubberized upper features matte detailing, a gusseted tongue for stability and insulation and matching laces for a monochromatic expression.

Yoon also becomes one of the first designers to completely rework the Pro Leather as it re-enters the Converse line up. The classic leather basketball sneaker is transformed through a distinctive tactical aesthetic, with a black rubberized upper that hosts a tonal 3D Converse Star Chevron logo, gusseted tongue, and monochromatic black laces, sharpened by cyber yellow instructional Ambush branding on the elevated heel.

The Converse x Ambush Pro Leather and Chuck 70 will be available for $150 and $140 respectively beginning October 23, 2019 at Converse.com.au, Converse Emporium & Chadstone stores, Up There Store, Double Double, Above the Clouds and Subtype.