Converse

Discover the OGs of the footwear scene with the JD Sports Australia line-up of Converse shoes. Available in a range of styles, including high tops and platforms, these industry-changing sneakers continue to enhance the fashion of men, women, and kids around the world. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to join the Converse family, the brand has never been more on trend. Find the brand’s most popular collections here: the Chuck Taylor All Star, Chuck 70, Run Star Hike, and more.

The History of Converse

The founder of the Converse Rubber Shoe Company was Marquis Mills Converse, who had gained knowledge of the footwear industry by working as a manager for a shoe manufacturing firm. When his new brand started production in 1908, the primary focus was on rubber-soled items known as galoshes, but the company was set to expand in a different direction.

After more than a decade of operation, Converse officially became a supplier of athletic footwear, joined by the legendary Charles H. ‘Chuck’ Taylor, whose name would become forever attached to the All Star trainer. These sport-focused products were made for the basketball court, and the brand dominated this arena for decades. However, the ’80s and ’90s saw them receive a push into mainstream fashion, with hip-hop artists raising their profile and turning Converse shoes into an icon of music culture—and consequently, street culture.