[STYLE] CONVERSE AND ALEXIS SABLONE CO-CREATE THE AS-1 PRO
Alexis Sablone is already unlike any other skater in the park or creative in the studio. A true multi- hyphenate, Alexis is a professional skateboarder, Olympian, architect, sculptor, painter, producer, and among other signifiers, an endlessly curious creator. Now, she adds co-creating a signature shoe to her well-earned list of accomplishments, the Converse AS-1 Pro.
Over the last year, Alexis has worked with Converse to concept a new creation in a way that few other athletes can. Seamlessly bridging the worlds of skate and design for years, Alexis holds a unique perspective. Not only is she one of the most highly regarded skaters in the sport – with unmatched, raw power on the board – she also understands the mechanics of design. This combined knowledge was central in conceptualizing a new sneaker that optimizes feel, ride, and responsiveness.
After obsessing the details alongside the Converse design team at every step of the process a new silhouette emerged. The AS-1 Pro takes aesthetic and technical inspiration from Converse basketball and court silhouettes of the 80s, while leveraging the brand’s innovative performance solutions to introduce an offering that shines through its detailing.
Truly a shoe for everybody, the AS-1 Pro is not crafted to conform to one type of wearer, but to both further performance and enhance streetstyle. Reflective of the intrepid, creative, and refined attitude of the skater, the silhouette – first offered in full grain leather – boasts pops of color and clean asymmetrical detailing allowing the Star Chevron logo to standout. A CONS monochrome logo is seen on the tongue, while the upper toe panel is reinforced with TPU pods to help minimize wear.
The AS-1 Pro is also Converse’s first performance skateboarding cupsole offering. Crafted with a newly engineered coring that enables increased impact cushioning and optimized board feel, the outsole also touts a visible herringbone pattern that was intricately refined to Alexis’ specifications in order to help optimize grip between the board and shoe. The silhouette features a CX foam sockliner for cushioning, and with adjustment to the height of the rubber on the laterals, the AS-1 Pro can handle the demands of all types of riders.
The AS-1 Pro marks a continued commitment to tapping Converse’s legacy and archive in sport as a catalyst for future creativity. As Converse builds the future, it will continue to provide a platform for the creative expression of those, like Alexis, who are reshaping culture and sport.
The AS-1 Pro debuts globally on May 2, 2023, with additional colorways launching June 2, 2023, on Converse.com and select global retailers.
