Hasta La Ideas

As a farewell to esteemed Tokyo brand Number (N)ine, Converse recently teamed up with the now defunct label for a final covetable collaboration.

The resulting asymmetrical Chuck Taylor All Star and One Star oxford-styled sneakers make a fitting end for Number (N)ine, as designer Takahiro Miyashita explains, “My childhood started with Converse.”

Takahiro tweaked the classic Converse models with an askew lace-up, a nod to the innovative 1970 Converse Odessa (a more recent version is pictured below left). Made of premium deer skin, the shag suede upper’s uneven texture lends a spackle-paint texture for a modern Boho feel.

While saying goodbye is always hard, as Takahiro eloquently states “When you’re finished changing, you’re finished”—the Converse collaboration seems a silver lining to that cloud.

The shoes drop in select stores around the world beginning 13 March 2010, including 10 Corso Como, Colette, Dover Street Market, Wood Wood, Aloha Rag, and more, for $140 a pair.