Header: Converse
Following the massive success of her album “Brat,” which kicked off a full-blown cultural moment, Charli XCX is channeling that energy into a collaboration with Converse. The project centers on the shoe she is known for wearing in her everyday life, the Chuck Taylor All Star. Instead of a single design, this release is part of the “By You” customization platform, giving fans a toolkit to build a sneaker that captures the specific feel of Charli’s latest creative period.
A perfectly faked worn-in look
The main idea behind the shoe’s design is to recreate the look of Charli’s own beat-up pairs of Chucks. To get this effect without actually damaging the shoe, Converse used a clever visual trick called trompe-l’œil. The canvas upper has printed rips and discoloration, giving it an authentically battered appearance while keeping the material itself intact. This aged feeling continues across the rest of the shoe. The rubber strip around the sole, known as the foxing, and the midsole are both burnished to look older. Even the laces get a special wash effect to complete the lived-in character.
Custom touches straight from the lyrics
This collaboration puts creative control in the hands of the fans. The process starts with choosing a base color for the high-top, with five options available: Black, White, Brown Rice, Winter Sky, and Bridal Rose. From there, the personalization becomes much more specific, incorporating details that reference Charli’s music and fanbase. Interchangeable patches and heel license plates come with options like “XCX,” “365,” “Angel,” and “Party Girl.” There’s also a hidden detail for those in the know: the outsole on the bottom of the shoe can have either a “Brat” or “Party Girl” graphic printed on it.
The finishing details
Two key elements complete the design. Inside the shoe, the insole is colored with Charli’s signature lime green, a pop of color that has defined the entire “Brat” era. On the exterior, each pair comes with a set of heel charms. The charms are a small lock and key, a direct reference to her track “Unlock It,” and are etched with the word “Brat.” These small additions give the shoe a narrative quality, connecting it directly to her body of work.
The Custom Chuck Taylor All Star Charli XCX By You gives fans a chance to create their own piece of the “Brat” world.
