Converse x The Garbstore: The Chuck Taylor, Refined

When Converse does premium, it doesn’t shout about it — it quietly refines an icon. The brand’s new First Stringcollection is exactly that: a polished, elevated take on the classic Chuck Taylor that still feels unmistakably Converse. To mark its arrival, West London’s The Garbstore has stepped in to curate an editorial that strips away the noise and lets the shoe do the talking.

For over a century, Converse has lived somewhere between sport and street. The First String line brings those worlds into sharper focus, merging heritage craftsmanship with understated innovation. The updates are subtle, almost invisible to the casual eye, but instantly recognisable to those who know the difference between a good shoe and a great one. A Nike Air pillow discreetly sits in the heel for extra comfort, while the midsole has been widened ever so slightly to improve fit. Beneath, a Vibram outsole adds grip and durability — the kind you notice only after a few wears, when you realise your Chucks are ageing better than you are.

The Garbstore’s editorial captures that quiet confidence. Instead of styled looks or heavy-handed branding, the images feel almost scientific — the shoes laid out in clean, clinical compositions, surrounded by materials, tools, and display cases. It’s less fashion shoot, more footwear study. The result feels true to both brands: Converse’s functional DNA and Garbstore’s obsessive attention to craft.

This is Converse through a more mature lens. Still the same canvas-and-rubber silhouette that has been scuffed through playgrounds, gigs, and studios for generations — but now re-engineered for a life that demands a little more. There’s something inherently satisfying about a sneaker that honours its roots while quietly embracing evolution.

All three First String iterations are available now at The Garbstore, each a masterclass in restraint and design discipline. No hype. No gimmicks. Just a classic sneaker, reimagined for the next chapter of its century-long story.

Explore further and shop at Couverture & The Garbstore.