Converse and Nike Designer Tinker Hatfield Debut Converse Star Series

By Beau Hayhoe Published June 4, 2021

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The makers of your favorite pair of classic sneakers are at it again, teaming up with a legendary designer to launch your favorite sneakers of … the future. Converse and famed Nike design legend Tinker Hatfield launched the Converse Star Series earlier this spring, and the resulting sneakers are more than worthy of adding to your collection.

Recommended Videos

Made up of three sneakers (two of which are available now) that build off the heritage of Converse and the serious design chops and futuristic viewpoint of Nike, the Converse Star Series is a step forward that blends the old and the new. Converse is no longer just a brand known for the classic Chuck Taylor high-top sneakers (although, we love those, too).

The collection leads off strong with the Converse Star Series BB (the BB stands for basketball) and follows through with the Converse Star Series RN.

Converse Star Series BB

Image used with permission by copyright holder

a surprisingly tough pair of high-top sneakers that have so far been tough to find (but can be picked up via resale sites for not too much coin). With roots in running and basketball – and designs that are one and the same when it comes to both performance and functionality – the new designs are refreshingly modern and surprisingly tough (witness touches like a cushioned midsole and a sport-inspired, diamond-textured design with a beastly toe bumper).

Converse Star Series RN

Image used with permission by copyright holder

These aren’t canvas sneakers that can show wear-and-tear a little too quickly for our liking– for instance, the Converse Star Series RN features a mesh upper and a lifestyle runner-inspired design, ideal for wearing with slim joggers and a pocket tee or else light wash jeans and a breezy slub polo.

The Star Series UT, named for utilitarian influences, is set to drop later this year, and happens to feature a runner-style take on the chukka.

These sneakers also use color schemes familiar to both Converse and Nike, including primary color touches like white, silver and black, plus pops of sport-inspired orange. These are tough, dependable and futuristic sneakers that it just makes sense to own – think of them as your new festival-going (or running, or basketball) sneakers, with just enough personality to stand out in a crowd. That is, if you can find any to buy anywhere since the BB and RN are already sold out at Converse and Nike.

Former Contributor

Beau Hayhoe is a freelance men's style writer, consultant and PR pro based in Brooklyn. Beau's menswear and gear writing has…

Topics

Footwear

Fashion & Style

The 9 Best Boat Shoes for Men To Wear All Year Long

best mens boat shoes men 2021

In many ways, boat shoes are arguably the most ideal footwear: They’re traditionally worn without socks, easy to slip on and off, and versatile enough to dress up or down. In short, consider them a casual staple for on or off a boat this 2021. And even though boat shoes haven’t been confined to decks for quite some time, the qualities that initially made them suitable for life on the water still make them desirable today. Just take their most innovative feature: rubber soles with thinly cut slits (known as siping) to prevent slipping. Let’s face it, we all know that you don’t need to be on a boat to take a tumble on a wet surface.

But attributes aside, boat shoes are an instantly recognizable menswear icon, and a style of shoe that’ll ensure you never run short of casual outfit options. Whether you’re after a traditional pair, or want to opt for a more modern interpretation, we’ve got the best boat shoes ready for your perusal.

Fashion & Style

5 Sneaker Alternatives to Your Go-to Vans and Converse

Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 shoes

Cons, Converse, Chuck Taylors, All Stars, Chucks — the sneakers that go by many nicknames have been a staple of American footwear since the 1960s. The ubiquitous high-top design for a time was associated with pop-punk and alternative cool before being subsumed into the mass cultural imagination as an empty signifier of individuality. Nowadays, Converse are a bit of a sartorial cliche; they’re most commonly seen on groomsmen during “quirky” weddings.

The story of Vans slip-ons, which also gained popularity in surfer and skater subcultures before becoming an inauthentic symbol of rebellion, isn’t so dissimilar. While the iconic checkerboard patterns were eye-catching for a time, it’s now easy to spot who hopped on the bandwagon only after the shoes got trendy.

Fashion & Style

Grand Seiko’s claw-inspired watch costs $16,400

Angular evolution: Grand seiko's tokyo lion tentagraph features brilliant hard titanium construction

Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion

Grand Seiko added a watch to its Tokyo Lion collection— the Sport Collection Tokyo Lion Tentagraph. This watch comes with the brand's first mechanical chronograph movement and holds to the angular design that has set the series apart since 2019. The watch costs $16,400 and will be available in August 2025. This 43mm watch shows a clear step forward for the collection.
The lion sign stays important to Grand Seiko's identity—it stands for how easy a watch is to read, how long it lasts, how comfortable it feels, and how good it looks. This symbol has been part of the brand's history since 1960. The Tokyo Lion collection turns this symbol into a bold, angular shape that copies a lion's paw through its geometric form and surface finishes.
The newest Tentagraph watch shows more of the feline idea. Its surfaces have hairline finishes that look like claws, and this design brings out cat-like shapes across the case. The watch measures 43mm across and 15.6mm thick—these large sizes catch the eye right away. The watch feels good to wear because of how it is shaped to the body.
Grand Seiko uses Brilliant Hard Titanium in the Sports Collection for the first time. This metal is twice as hard as regular stainless steel. The alloy looks brighter than common titanium and also resists rust and scratches better, which is needed for sports watches.
The chronograph buttons have a new shape—this change makes them easier to use when someone is active. The three small dials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock look three-dimensional. A Lumibrite coating on them makes sure a person can read them in all light, from bright day to full dark.
A brown silicon rubber strap comes with the watch, it has a lion's paw design on the back that adds a subtle design touch. The strap bends easily, so it feels good to wear. The case back has a slight curve. These details make the watch comfortable to wear in many places, and the watch also holds out against water down to 200 meters.
The Tentagraph Caliber 9SC5 is the main technical feature. It has a chronograph part that works at 5Hz. This fast-moving part runs for 72 hours on one charge and also protects against magnetic fields up to 4,800 A/m—these are important features for a modern sports watch.
The chronograph functions add to the Tokyo Lion's sports appeal while keeping the collection's specific look. Grand Seiko's mechanical skill joins with its angular design idea, forming watches that go against how people usually think about sports watches.
People can get the watch in August 2025. It will be on Grand Seiko's website and at stores that sell its watches, this makes it easy for people around the world to buy good Japanese mechanical watches. The $16,400 price shows the better materials, the in-house movement, and the special design that set Grand Seiko's sports watches apart.
This Tentagraph shows Grand Seiko's continued step forward in expensive sports watches. It shows how old Japanese craftsmanship can take on modern design styles while keeping its technical lead and wearing comfort for demanding uses.