AMBUSH Twists Converse’s Outdoor Heritage With Two Different Chuck Taylor Models

After turning the Chuck Taylor futuristic last year, AMBUSH has been afforded even further creative freedom with their next collaboration. Yoon Anh, designer and co-founder of the Japanese design studio, has been given access to the brand’s archive once again, her findings primarily centered on the outdoors.

“In my head, I always think of the Chuck Taylor,” Ahn stated. “But what was really interesting looking in the archive was finding the many different shoes Converse has made over the years.”

Though she came across a vast selection of ’50s military-wear, Anh was most enamored with a 110-year-old wading boot. By way of her leading CTAS Duck Boot, the fishing essential is brought to life once again, just tweaked a fair bit to fit the syntax of AMBUSH’s aggressive language. Dressed in both a Triple Black and Blithe Blue, the silhouette spotlights its sculptural construction, one that tunes its bottom half more robust than its top. Thick, lug soles outfit below for traction, improving utility alongside the rubberized toe and mudguard; padded collars, a ghillie lace system, and a flexible shaft then ensure that the kit is wearable.

While it borrows from similar sources of inspiration, the furry Chuck 70 is a jarring departure visually. AMBUSH has opted to cover the model’s upper with fuzzy Longwool textures, turning the classic flagship into a fantastical reimagining. “Why not do something that almost mimics a wild creature?” Anh questions. “I thought it could be such a fun pairing.”

Grab a detailed look at the entire collection here and expect a release to arrive first in Greater China on November 21st. A following global launch is slated for November 24th.

Updated January 28th, 2021: The entire AMBUSH x Converse collection releases on SNKRS on February 8th.