Shanghai's DOE Gives Classic Converse Silhouettes a Suprematist Makeover

DOE is celebrating its 5th anniversary as one of Shanghai’s premier outlets of streetwear and sneakers, joining forces with Converse to make the event extra-special. The boutique has tweaked the classic Chuck Taylor All-Star Hi 70 and Jack Purcell, emblazoning the versatile kicks with an art-inclined pattern.

Taking its name from “John Doe,” the pseudonym for an anonymous or unknown person, DOE channels its heritage for this Converse collaboration. “In Western culture, DOE identifies as anyone and everyone, which is echoed in our choice of the silhouettes, which are worn and loved by so many across China,” DOE co-founder Terry Zhu told Nike. A mantra from Eastern philosophy — “Empty your mind, be formless” — informs the eye-catching jacquard knit that appears on the outside of both sneakers.

Carry-cube imagery graces both footwear styles, drawing inspiration from the aforementioned mantra and suprematism, a 20th century art movement informed by pure, simple geometric shapes. The tall Chuck Taylor sports a tonal black upper, with matching laces, batch and pull tab on the heel, while the Jack Purcell’s color palette is rich with blue. The prints showcase layered cubes emblazoned with DOE branding, executed on a knit for the Chuck Taylor and duck canvas for the Jack Purcell, the latter sporting black leather trim. A branded T-shirt and track jacket/pant set complete the commemorative collection.

Shop the goods on Converse’s website and in-store at DOE’s Shanghai outpost on March 7. In the meantime, take a closer look at the special sneakers below.

Recently, we got up close with DOE’s functional Fall/Winter 2018 clothing collection.