Converse has released its Pride Month 2023 collection, called “Proud to Be,” which “celebrates thosse who are proud to be living in the power and joy of being themselves.”
Converse has teamed up with LGBTQ+ artists and activists for the campaign, including Big Freedia. “I’m Proud to be Free… free to be me, free to be loud and proud, and free to love who we love,” she says.
This year’s shoe collection includes the Run Star Legacy CX Pride edition, with rainbow laces and soles, as well as the Converse Pride logo on the side of the high-tops. There’s also the classic Chuck Taylor All Star shoe in a design using the inclusive Pride flag colors, the Chuck 70 Pride shoes, and the heeled Chuck 70 De Luxe shoes.
The “Proud to Be” apparel includes three graphic t-shirts, with two featuring the Converse logo in a rainbow design. Plus there’s also customizable options, with Converse fans having the option to create their own designs featuring your Pride flag as part of their ‘Pride by You’ range.
After receiving backlash on their Pride collection announcement post, with one comment reading: “Unsubscribed and unfollowed”, the brand responded that it wouldn’t bow down to hate.
Converse posted on Instagram: “The Converse community is based on kindness and inclusion. We welcome comments that contribute to a positive and constructive conversation. Hate speech, bullying or other behaviors that are not in the spirit of a diverse and inclusive community will be deleted.”
The brand has also confirmed their “ongoing Pride commitment” that supports “the transformative work of our community partners to create spaces and opportunities where LGBTQIA+ youth around the world can thrive”. This includes It Gets Better, Ali Forney Center, Homotopia Fest, Bagly, The Theater Offensive, IGLYO and COC Nederland.
To shop the new Converse Pride collection head to converse.com and converse.com/uk.
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