The Converse 'Breaking Down Barriers' Classics Collection has been unveiled by the brand as a new range of footwear options that honor important figures who helped with breaking down racial barriers within the NBA. The footwear styles all pay homage to important players-of-color who fought to challenge the organization's bias towards skin color in years past. This includes the Chuck Cooper, Early Lloyd and Nat Clifton styles, which are each designed in the player's respective team colors to further reinforce the historical nature of the shoes.
The Converse 'Breaking Down Barriers' Classics Collection is arriving just in time for Black History Month with a release slated for January 23 through the Converse website. A portion of the proceeds from the sneakers will benefit the American Heart Association as wells the Chuck Cooper Foundation and the Early Lloyd Foundation.
NBA Integration-Honoring Sneakers
The Converse 'Breaking Down Barriers' Collection Honors Pioneers
Trend Themes
1. Heritage-inspired Collections - Opportunity for fashion and apparel companies to launch heritage-inspired collections that honor historical figures and cultural movements.
2. Socially Responsible Collaborations - Opportunity for brands to collaborate with non-profit organizations to create collections that raise awareness and funds for social causes.
3. Diversity and Inclusion in Fashion - Opportunity for brands to focus on diversity and inclusion by featuring historical figures and cultural movements in collections and marketing campaigns.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion and Apparel - Fashion and apparel companies can leverage heritage-inspired collections that honor historical figures and cultural movements.
2. Non-profit and Social Enterprises - Non-profit organizations and social enterprises can collaborate with fashion and apparel brands to create collections that raise awareness and funds for social causes.
3. Sports and Entertainment - Sports and entertainment companies can leverage diversity and inclusion in their branding and marketing campaigns by featuring historical figures and cultural movements.