Jose Parla for Converse (PRODUCT)RED Chuck Taylor All Star

In honor of World AIDS Day (December 1), Converse has announced a limited-edition José Parlá for Converse (PRODUCT)RED Chuck Taylor All Star shoe. A painter, widely acclaimed in the art world, Parlá’s collaboration with Converse (PRODUCT)RED is designed to help provide awareness for the fight against AIDS in Africa and encourage consumers to become agents of change, turning art into power. A percentage of the net wholesale price of the shoe will go to The Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Using the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe as a canvas, Parlá chose his painting Ephemeral Pitches, and Notes, Rhythm and Phonetics to grace the shoe’s upper. A striking work, the painting explores constant changes to urban lifestyle and was inspired by abstract noises, music, rhythms, languages and sounds of cities. Selected by Parlá in recognition of the change that is part of the mission of (RED), the painting’s themes also represents a nod to Parlá’s days of youth wearing Chuck Taylor All Star shoes to play basketball, dance and have fun. Only 500 of the José Parlá for Converse kicks will be available, beginning on World AIDS Day – December 1, 2011 – via Converse First String retailers, including Stussy New York. Retail is set at $100 USD.