Today, Converse and Brain Dead officially announce their second collaboration featuring two silhouettes: Chuck 70 and Bosey MC.
As a brand defined by disruption, Brain Dead perpetually seeks ways design can alter the expected. So, when brand founders Kyle Ng and Ed Davis looked toward a sequel collection, it was natural to continue exploring irreverent interpretations of Converse’s classic DNA.
Dev Hynes, who previously concepted a shirt that raised over $500k for Black and LGBTQ+ organizations in June 2020, directed a short film entitled Variations, which serves as the collaboration’s campaign. Outfitted in the collection’s footwear, the film highlights young creatives such as Hello Yello and performers from the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA), the largest majority Black orchestra in the US.
Converse x Brain Dead will be available via wearebraindead.com, Converse.com, DSMLA, DSMNY, Brain Dead Milano and additional select retailers worldwide beginning November 19th.
ABOUT THE COLLECTION:
- Converse x Brain Dead Chuck 70Â
o    By visually distorting a signature detail of the Chuck 70 design – the foxing tape – the team altered proportions: elevating the construction of the outsole with EVA foam and optically disrupting its height with non-consecutive lines on the rubber rand. Reminiscent of the first collaboration, the upper presents an assortment of cow print in Converse’s tri-paneled canvas construction and is complete with Converse and Brain Dead co-branding. An all-black version will be available exclusively at Dover Street Market.
o    Converse x Brain Dead remixes the canvas upper of Chuck 70 with multiple cow prints. Centered around visual distortion, the collaboration splits the foxing at the toe, flipping the foxing and the license plate for a chopped interpretation of Converse’s DNA. Brain Dead branding can be found around the foxing pinstripe, co-branded on the sockliner, and molded on the lateral logo patch.
- Converse x Brain Dead Bosey MCÂ
o    The second silhouette is a Bosey MC, a modern interpretation of Converse’s 1940s Lakestream wading shoe. Looking to juxtapose the Chuck 70 Hi, Brain Dead opted for a low-cut Bosey MC as a means to explore the utility heritage of the shoe through graphics. Brain Dead’s visual language is complemented by tactile layering and functional features – such as a reinforced foam collar lining, cord loop heel pulls, and lacing cables.
o    Converse x Brain Dead present a low cut Bosey MC, mixing canvas and monomesh atop a cow print. For added utility, the offering is complete with a reinforced foam collar lining, cord loop heel pulls, and lacing cables. Brain Dead branding is found on the tongue pull, embossed on the foxing, and co-branded on the sockliner.
ABOUT BRAIN DEAD:
Formed in 2014 and inspired by post-punk, comic books, skateboarding, and subculture overall, LA-based Brain Dead is a clothing brand with a mission to bring their unique taste in art into tangible form. They are known for their irreverent graphics. The brand is led by Kyle Ng and Ed Davis, a duo with an eye for the abnormal and an ambition for art.
