Converse continues its bold exploration of design innovation with a new collaboration alongside Paris-based fashion disruptor Vaquera — unveiling the XXXHi Slouch Wedge and XHi Slouch Wedge, two avant-garde reinterpretations of the classic Chuck. The partnership merges Converse’s timeless design legacy with Vaquera’s irreverent, narrative-driven fashion ethos, resulting in silhouettes that are equal parts nostalgia, couture, and cultural rebellion.

Founded in 2013 by Patric DiCaprio and Bryn Taubensee, Vaquera has become a beloved fixture in fashion’s avant-garde — celebrated for its subversive storytelling and commitment to contradiction, individuality, and radical self-expression. From quilted pillow dresses to sculptural runway moments, Vaquera has carved out a cult following and secured its place on the Paris Fashion Week calendar as a brand that challenges convention with every collection.

Debuted during Vaquera’s Fall/Winter 2025 presentation, the Converse × Vaquera XXXHi Slouch Wedge and XHi Slouch Wedge push the Chuck silhouette into exaggerated new territory. Towering, textile-rich, and theatrically proportioned, the XXXHi extends boldly above the knee while the XHi lands just below — both constructed in synthetic-waxed canvas that softens and slouches with wear. Hidden wedge soles heighten the drama, while signature Converse elements — the patch, pinstripes, and canvas DNA — remain intact, grounding the design in familiar heritage while expanding its possibilities.

“We love to take something well-known like the Chuck and make it feel new,” shares Bryn Taubensee, Vaquera co-founder. “We kept a lot of the iconic elements of the Chuck but removed the laces and supersized the upper. The effect is something familiar while at the same time unknown and exciting.”

Shot by Brianna Capozzi and styled by Emma Wyman, the campaign stars musician Cortisa Star, whose boundary-pushing energy channels the expressive spirit that unites both brands.

A Bold Moment for South African Street Culture

In South Africa, the Converse x Vaquera collaboration arrives at a time when local fashion and youth culture continue to embrace daring silhouettes and radical self-expression. With a growing appetite for experimental streetwear, this drop speaks directly to a new generation of creators who challenge norms and redefine identity through style.

“Converse has always stood for creativity without limits. Collaborations like this one with Vaquera speak to our local audience’s appetite for originality — it’s about celebrating those who dare to do things differently and redefine what style means today,” says Tebogo Mothlamme, Marketing Manager for Converse South Africa.

Expanding a Global Creative Partnership

This release forms part of a wider collaboration between Vaquera and Nike, Inc., which includes an upcoming reinterpretation of the Nike Air Max DN8, the brand’s latest leap in Dynamic Air technology — cementing Vaquera’s growing influence across both luxury and athletic footwear landscapes.

The Converse × Vaquera footwear collection will be available from 11 November at converse.com and select retailers across South Africa, with prices starting at R3,199.95.

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