Converse x Pop Trading Company
Celebrating legendary badminton player Jack Purcell’s colourful career, the allure of high-end adverts and Amsterdam’s eclectic skate ambiance, the timely arrival of this latest double-up ‘Dragonskin’ Pop Trading Company x Converse Jack Purcell release is one that captures the very essence of skate culture’s non-conformist progression as it pioneers the ever-evolving industry.
Following on from Pop Trading Company’s 2019 New Balance 1500 ‘Made In England’ collaboration and their recent Runner XL and Chasis Chukka rewrite in partnership with heritage footwear pundits Camper, Messrs Peter Kolks and Ric van Rest join allegiance once again with Converse CONS to celebrate both sporting culture and creative innovation inspired by modernity. Delivering a premium streetwear vibe that offers striking contrast to the ‘90s inspired colour palette seen on their previous canvas-topped collaboration and their timely ‘tech-focused’ SS20 collection from earlier this year, Pop Trading Company keeps this two-piece collaboration light on its feet with its high-end vibe, a creative twist supported by their recent perfume-mannered and Dragon-spun advert launched in collaboration with visionary director Patrick Louwerse. Nestled amongst equally symbolic profiles such as Converse’s One Star and All Star, the Jack Purcell Pro, both Hi and Low, strikes the perfect balance between uniformity and elite functionality - a trait that effortlessly mimics World Champion Purcell’s spritely legacy. An expressive footwear icon since 1935, this secondary JP Pro Ox and JP Pro Hi instalment from Pop Trading Company and Converse swaps out earlier block-tone colourings for more refined high-end aesthetics inspired by tactile appeal and luxe animal prints.
Inspired by the Converse Chuck ‘70s renowned influence on the evolving skate scene, the Pop Trading Company x Converse JP Pro Ox pairs high-end aesthetics with skate-centric function to deliver exemplary boardfeel from first wear. Shades of magnetising dark purple mixes with faux ‘dragonskin’ leather for a playful twist on nostalgic sporting character, whilst the leather-lined PU sockliner, the stark-white ‘ollie patch’ rubber foxing and the auxetic-overlay across the traction-minded outsole keeps impact resilience at the forefront of its design style. The reinforced and trademarked rubber toe cap is decorated with jet-black custom ‘Pop Trading Company’ ‘JP Smile’ detailing for added character, whilst the split-heel ‘Converse Cons’ and ‘POP’ rubber-scab branding seals this wild Jack Purcell Pro rewrite off in line with Pop’s stalwart persona.
For the collection’s high-collared Pop Trading Company x Converse JP Pro Hi counterpart, a vintage shade of washed-white is matched with carried over faux ‘dragonskin’ leather across the uppers for added textural appeal. The flat cotton laces secure the contoured tongue across the natural arch of the foot, whilst the over-spilt ‘ollie patch’ taping, the durable traction-orientated rubber outsole and the leather-lined PU sockliner keep the sneaker lightweight and well-suited to an array of demanding day-on-day activities. Just like its earlier siblings and its purple-hued accompaniment, bold-black ‘JP Smile’ printed ‘Pop Trading Company’ debossed branding reinvents the trademarked toe-bumper for added characterised depth, with the split-heel ‘Converse Cons’ and ‘POP’ scab-branding remaining ever-loyal to Converse’s OG court-side aesthetic.
‘Calling to mind the organic aesthetic of skateboarding’s rich heritage’, this two-piece Jack Purcell Pro instalment between Pop Trading Company and Converse is one that’s set to bring a touch of street-spun luxury to any pre-existing wardrobe, whilst both the Low and Hi profiles remain faithful to their old-school Rubber Shoe Company roots.
The Pop Trading Company x Converse CONS Jack Purcell collection will be available at Flatspot on Friday 20th November at 00:00am (GMT).
Shop all Pop Trading Company and Converse at Flatspot.
