# Custom Retro Revitalizing a retro brand and engaging a new generation through customization. By [Bianca](https://www.trendhunter.com/bianca), Brand & Innovation Strategist | Published Nov 12, 2007, updated Aug 9, 2010 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/custom-retro-converse-revitalizes-their-retro-brand-engages-a-new-gen-throu ## Key Figures - Trend score: 6.3/10 - Evidence articles: 20 ## What is the Custom Retro trend? **Custom Retro:** In large part, young people define themselves by their images and take great pride in creating their own unique styles. Older, more established brands can reinvent themselves by enabling users to customize designs that align with their personalities. Converse is a retro brand that has reinvented itself through customization by collaborating with other fashion houses and gaining endorsements by stars like Johnny Knoxville, thereby repositioning itself as a symbol of counterculture and self-expression. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 20 featured examples - Articles from: Aug 26, 2007 to Nov 6, 2009 - Published: Nov 12, 2007 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality) - Megatrends: [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Custom Retro trend ### Customization Enabling users to customize designs reinvents brands and drives counterculture and self-expression. ### Special Editions Special editions of iconic brand products create brand familiarity and appeal to consumers through elements of popular culture. ### Punk Influence Punk-inspired shoes and designs create radical brand appeal and stay true to original brand ethos. ## What the Custom Retro trend means for industry ### For Apparel & Fashion Businesses in the fashion industry can utilize customization and special editions to maintain relevance and appeal to evolving consumer tastes. ### For Music & Entertainment Incorporating elements of music and entertainment in products creates familiarity and fan-base appeal. ### For Marketing & Advertising The incorporation of guerrilla marketing and street art in product design can create new advertising mediums that attract urban, creative consumers. ## Trend signals for Custom Retro Trend score 6.3 out of 10, from popularity 88%, activity 91%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 88% - Activity: 91% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Custom Retro trend 20 featured examples from Aug 26, 2007 to Nov 6, 2009. - [Tennis Shoes Stilettos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tennis-shoes-stilettos-the-converse-high-heel-sneakers): The Converse High Heel Sneakers (Category: Fashion) Implication: Fashion designers and retailers can explore new opportunities by embracing unconventional footwear designs and catering to unique consumer preferences. - [Michael Jackson Converse](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/michael-jackson-converse): Alcat2021's Sneakers Also Include Beatles, Twilight, Johnny Depp (Category: Fashion) Implication: Creating customized sneakers featuring popular cultural icons can attract a niche market and boost sales in the fashion and apparel industry. - [Custom Kicks For Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/custom-kicks-for-marketing-converse-art-shoes): Converse Art Shoes (Category: Fashion) Implication: The footwear industry can capitalize on the custom sneaker trend by offering customizable options and collaborating with artists to create limited-edition designs. - [Rockstar Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/converse-that-rock-metallica-ac-dc-themed-trainers): Converse Designs Metallica and AC/DC Trainers for ‘Rock' Series (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Tap into the music industry to create unique and themed footwear collections that cater to various fan bases. - [Converse Canvas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/all-star-converse-customized-by-argentinean-designers): All Stars By Argentinean Designers (Category: Fashion) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate technology and smart features into footwear designs to enhance functionality and comfort. - [Studded Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studded-converse-shoes-from-cienchi): Worn Converse All Star Shoes Glammed Up By Gienchi (Category: Fashion) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborating with designers like Gienchi to offer exclusive collections of studded sneakers that cater to fashion-forward customers. - [Studded Sneaks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sneaks-kettle-black-converse-studded): Kettle Black Converse Shoes Capitalize on the Studded Dud Style (Category: Fashion) Implication: Fashion retailers can capitalize on the studded sneaker trend by offering a wide range of designs at affordable prices. - [Zipper-Back Kicks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/converse-spring-2010-first-string-collection): Leather Jacket-Motif Spring 2010 Converse 'First String' Collection (Category: Fashion) Implication: The fashion industry can take advantage of the trend of high-end sneaker collections and innovative shoe designs to cater to consumers seeking fashionable and unique footwear opti… - [Rock Legend Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ac-dc-converse): Converse Special Edition Chuck Taylors AC/DC Shoes (Category: Fashion) Implication: The fashion industry can capitalize on limited edition collaborations to create exclusive and sought-after products. - [Special-Edition Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/converse-black-sabbath-shoes): Converse Introduces Black Sabbath Shoes (Category: Fashion) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilize iconic album artwork and band aesthetics to create limited-edition shoes that attract music fans and sneaker enthusiasts. - [Iconic Album Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/converse-pink-floyd): Converse Leaks Images of Pink Floyd Chuck Taylors (Category: Fashion) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity through collaborations with musicians and bands to create unique sneaker collections. - [Punk Rock Iconokicks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spring-2010-converse-collection): Spring 2010 Converse Collection Features Clash-Inspired Shoes (Category: Fashion) Implication: The footwear industry can capitalize on the rise of music and nostalgia-inspired fashion trends to create new and unique shoe styles. - [Waist-High Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/convese-as-trousers-update-daryl-van-wouws-extreme-trainer-design): Daryl Van Wouw Turns Converse All-Stars Into Trousers (Category: Fashion) Implication: Designers and fashion brands can transform existing styles and challenge norms to create innovative pieces, attracting consumers seeking individuality and sustainability. - [Christmas Sweater Chucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christmas-sweater-chucks): These Converse Kicks Go Perfect With Dad's Pullover (Category: Fashion) Implication: The footwear industry can capitalize on the demand for themed shoes that complement popular fashion trends. - [Bold-School Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/next-generation-converse): Michael Weyrauch Designs Next Generation of Converse Chucks (Category: Fashion) Implication: Fashion brands need to constantly reinvent themselves to stay relevant in the market. - [Spiced Retro](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classical-converse-high-tops-in-leather-the-converse-all-star-hi): Can Leather High Tops Reignite the Converse Brand? (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Integrating innovative materials and designs into classic fashion staples - [Cross Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/converse-pepsi-charms): Converse Pepsi Cellphone Charms (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Fashion industry can explore collaborations to create unique accessories and increase brand loyalty. - [All-Star Galoshes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/converse-rubber-boots): The Converse Rubber Boots are Rad (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Potential for new designs and technologies in the rain boot segment of the footwear industry. - [Bandaid Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dr-romanellis-band-aid-converses): Dr. Romanelli's Converse Shoe for Charity (Category: Fashion) Implication: Staple companies in the running shoe industry can leverage the growing demand for quirky and limited-edition sneakers to boost their sales and brand appeal. - [Big Bad Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peanut-butter-wolf-converse): Commemorative Freebies From Peanut Butter Wolf & Converse (Category: Fashion) Implication: Music artists and labels can collaborate with sneaker brands to create merchandise and drive sales and fan engagement. ## Recent trend clusters - [Scaled Restraint](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/small-luxury-watches) (Fashion) - [Sneaker Theater](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sneaker-theater) (Fashion) - [Ritual Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ritual-systems) (Fashion) - [Athletic Styling](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/athletic-styling) (Fashion) ## Trending in Fashion - [Paisley-Shelled Collector Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paisley-shelled-collector-sneakers) - [Fruit-Inspired Digital Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themed-wristwatches) - [Deluxe Beauty Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classic-and-prestige) - [Modular Winter Wardrobes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moose-knuckles-fallwinter-2026) All articles: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion)