12/21/24
July 18, 2003
Nike's buyout of Converse: angering some individuals who view Nike as corporate giant with evil labor practices while Converse was quasi counter-culture outlet. Since Nike says they are not going to change design process or even corporate structure (and their history with previous buyout followed the same practice), I really don't see what they are bitching about.
Are any US-brand shoes still made in the US? Are any of the top brands made in the US? New Balance?
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:53 PM on July 18, 2003
They've outsourced DMs? Fuck. The world as I know it is apparently over. etagloh's right, they'd sold out already. Input of cash might not be a bad thing, since they still have that "independent" cache.
posted by squealy at 06:40 PM on July 18, 2003
My New Balance 991s say made in the U.S. on them. Too bad everyone has them, including my best friend and his dad. When I go over to his house and take of my shoes, it can get confusing.
posted by swank6 at 07:03 PM on July 18, 2003
I'm sorry, did it say somewhere that the previous owners of Converse were not trying to make a buck? And do you only purchase products made in the USA, etagloh? If so, better look really carefully about where all the components (for instance in your car and your computer) are made.
posted by billsaysthis at 07:15 PM on July 18, 2003
And do you only purchase products made in the USA, etagloh? As a Brit, this is quite tricky ;) And I'll 'fess up: my beloved Adidas Sambas are made in China. Mea culpa. But I'll elaborate my point: Converse trades on its all-American reputation, at least as far as Chucks are concerned. In fact, the Converse site talks about how 'Converse is the story of modern sports in America'. So, I don't mind if the management decides to move production out of the US for economic reasons, but I won't be buying. Same with Doc Martens, given that they trade on the whole 'Cool Britannia' schtick, but are happy to dispense with their British factories.
posted by etagloh at 10:49 AM on July 19, 2003
Fair enough. Being a spectator and not a participant (except for those mornings at the gym, I suppose), I don't really pay any attention to the silliness that is sneaker marketing. Except when truly odd things like $90M contract for a high school student.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:29 AM on July 19, 2003
This is exactly the kind of thing that made me quit wearing shoes two years ago.
posted by Samsonov14 at 02:07 PM on July 19, 2003
Samso! Your interview is on! We've had 10 people comment but not one comment from you. C'mon, samson!
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:12 PM on July 19, 2003
Nike is just a multinational with waining street cred. I mean, they rely on thier millionaire spokespeople to hit the occassional cop or fuck the occassional spa-employee to remain bad-ass in the eyes of suburban America. And 1 is the company to watch now. They're the number 3 shoe, without a single traditional marketing ploy - just their Mixed Tape tours and streetball hype. But really, it's all just shoes...
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:11 PM on July 21, 2003
Weedy: 1 is the company to watch now Give me a link, Weedy, I want to check out this shoe. I am hopelessly out of touch with what's cool with the whippersnappers.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:38 PM on July 21, 2003
AND1
posted by garfield at 02:45 PM on July 21, 2003
And 1. C'mon WC, even a gray(ing) hair like me has heard of these guys. They've actually been around for a while (since 1993).
posted by kloeprich at 02:46 PM on July 21, 2003
Good god. I am so uncool. Still, those shoes suck. I hate basketball shoes and what they've turned into (remember Kobe's ridiculous car design-inspired shoes?). You really can't wear those without looking ridiculous. Unless you're 7-foot and wearing looong shorts. But then, you look ridiculous anyway, so it doesn't matter. I'm more New Balance. Even if they make their shoes in China, just like everyone else. Who still makes athletic shoes in the US? I want to know!
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:03 PM on July 21, 2003
Not that I'm a big purchaser of tennis shoes, but the And1 basketball tour is a fucking joke. You wonder why guys in the NBA can't shoot a jumpshot, take a look at these assclowns. All flash, no game.
posted by wfrazerjr at 03:32 PM on July 21, 2003
And what kinda name is And1? And 1 what? Selling shoes to illiterates, that's our game!
posted by worldcup2002 at 05:38 PM on July 21, 2003
I always assumed the name came from making a basket while getting fouled - the shot goes in "and 1" attempt at a free throw.
posted by dusted at 05:54 PM on July 21, 2003
Quite: Converse cashed in its indie chips when it abandoned US-based production of All-Stars in 2001, and moved it to Asia (Indonesia) ... just like Nike. (I bought a pair of black high-tops before the US-based stock ran out: I won't buy another pair, just as I won't buy DMs now that production is also being outsourced.)