Paria Farzaneh Takes Converse's Pro Leather X2 Into a Technical and Tactile Realm
The designer also presents an accompanying clothing and accessories capsule.
Paria Farzaneh and Converse are back together once again, delivering a new seasonal collaborative collection that follows on from last year’s “Number 6” collection with nods to ’90s sportswear and the designer’s Iranian heritage.
Having worked together for more than three years, Paria and Converse have proven that their combined aesthetics make for a stellar collaboration. From unreleased runway pairs to the Converse Pro Leather X2 from last year, everything the duo does is faithful to both brands, and this new drop is no exception. Once again, Farzaneh takes on the Pro Leather X2 but imagines it under a new function-focused lens, taking the iconic basketball silhouette to new tactile heights.
While there are similarities to the previous collaborative Pro Leather X2 — notably sporting its accentuated sole unit — this new offering comes equipped with an entirely new aesthetic. For example, technical woven mesh forms a sheath-like fitting over the high-top sneaker, while a zipper down the throat doesn’t just replace laces, but also comes down to reveal Farzaneh’s signature print that nods to her heritage.
Elsewhere, we find a neoprene inner bootie that is attached to the front and rear webbing tabs that have been plastered with the aforementioned print, as well as a few lashings of suede marking out the tongue section and heel pad — which is branded with the Converse logo on the left foot and dual branding on the right.
Coming in a purple-to-white fade or a utilitarian-looking dark grey-khaki and navy blue ensemble, the shoes are complemented by a capsule collection of clothes that further incorporate both the 1990s and Iranian influences. A contrast stitch hoodie sports the paisley print inside the hood and on areas such as the neckline and piping, while the purple T-shirt looks as if it came straight from Farzaneh’s eponymous line.
Rounding out this collaboration are the bags. One is a small side bag that’s surprisingly useful thanks to its net-filled interior and addition of carabiners on the exterior, while the other is designed to hold a water bottle. The Paria Farzaneh x Converse collaboration will debut on Converse’s website and at select retailers on September 9, while an accompanying episode of Outsider Radio will also air from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. BST tonight online (1 p.m. ET/6 p.m. ET).
For more technical footwear, check out the new range from DEMON.
