Okay, to begin, I feel compelled to offer up some explanation of my not too secret love affair with Massachusetts based Converse. I know what you're thinking…Don't do it, to delve into such matters is something surely best left to the experts, women!  Fear not friends for I know no fear when it comes to such jaw-droppingly good sneakers and the market leading global recognition they've righteously (in my mind at least) accomplished!

So as not to bore the life out of anyone reading this, I'll derive my explanatory introduction from just one word, individuality.  Converse simply laughs into the sorry face of their ‘competition' when it comes to individual expression.  FACT!  Admittedly, others do offer up unique features throughout their somewhat expressive products.  But in comparison, they do it all too sparingly for my liking.  The Converse canvas and its dynamic, ever shifting artscape simply knows no limits.  And for that alone I love ‘em!  Now then, enough about little ol' self explanatory me, lets crack on with the reason I came here today… (RED).

Converse have collaborated with 100 / 1HUND(RED) artists from the worlds of music, art, sport and fashion to create designs inspired by both the #100 and the very concept of (RED)*.  To follow are some sublime, individually numbered and information filled examples of the fruits of the labour undertaken by the likes of fashion designer Dr. Romanelli, Portuguese artist Ana Ventura, Australian singer/songwriter Jeremyville, the South African, Warwick Kay led creative team Orange Juice, US shoe designer Ginger Jones to name just a handful.

2008 sees Converse celebrating 100 mesmeric years, a decade of decadence.  The (RED) collection finds itself amidst a wider range of celebratory footwear collections to be released. onverse have incorporated original designs, product collaborations and planned re-issues of their classic catalogue for the coming season.

And if you thought the feel-good you've always known and loved that only comes from slipping on a fresh set of Cons was unbeatable, consider this should you buy a set from the (RED) range.

* They've been created to (remotely) channel the collective power of businesses and consumers worldwide, to fight in the ongoing battle against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.  Working alongside some of the world's biggest brands, Converse and their desirable collaborators are directing 10% of the net wholesale price of the Converse (RED) collection to the Global Fund and its plight.

For full information, please visit file:///C:/Documents%20and 20Settings/Ant/Desktop/reviews/Fashion/ConverselaunchesREDcollection/Red/www.converse.com or http://www.joinred.com/ now.  Get involved, get inspired and get some new sneakers!

By Ant Standring
Antantacid@aol.com