DAMIEN HIRST X CONVERSE (PRODUCT)RED

Pioneering British artist Damien Hirst has teamed up again with (PRODUCT)RED to create this vivid pair of Chuck Taylors. Featuring delicate butterflies that evoke the fragility of life fluttering on a vibrant red backdrop, the design is taken from Hirst's 2007 print  ‘All You Need is Love' which was auctioned as a fundraiser for The Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. These Chucks will be released in the US on December 1st to coincide with World Aids Day. Check below for a list of retailers.

Damien Hirst for Converse (PRODUCT)RED Chuck Taylor All Star

Converse announces the Damien Hirst for Converse (PRODUCT)RED Chuck Taylor All Star shoe. Launching November 5, 2010 in Europe and the UK and on World AIDS Day-December 1, 2010 in the US, 100% of the net profit of the shoe is being paid to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Geneva, Switzerland).

"All You Need Is Love", Damien Hirst's 2007 butterfly print, sold at the Sotheby's (RED)^TM auction in 2008 for $2,420,000.00 in support of The Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Hirst hosted the auction with Bono and it became the most successful contemporary art auction for charity around a single theme ever, generating over $40 million and making a significant financial impact in the fight against AIDS in Africa. A stunning red print with blue butterflies, ‘All You Need Is Love' will continue to help raise funds and awareness for the fight with the introduction of a gorgeous Converse (PRODUCT)RED Chuck Taylor All Star shoe that incorporates the art in its design.

Internationally renowned, Hirst is recognized as a pioneer of modern British art and one who continually explores challenging subjects and breaches the boundaries of acceptability. Life and death are the most consistent themes in his work and his approach to 'All You Need Is Love', showcases striking beauty in the lifeless stillness of the butterflies whilst simultaneously evoking the fragility of life.

Damien Hirst was invited by (RED) to collaborate with Converse in the shared goal of using art to change the world with the result being a premium (PRODUCT)RED version of Converse's most iconic shoe. Using extremely high-tech laser printing techniques on tightly woven canvas, the 'All You Need Is Love' print is carefully color matched for an immaculate, vivid representation of Hirst's original piece. The print continues on a white background gracing the footbed and lining of the shoe's bright white rubber outsole accents. Available in limited quantities, the collaboration uses a special high-top version of the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe originally produced for the US military in the 1960's that features unique, high rubber rands and high-level construction details.

The Damien Hirst for Converse (PRODUCT)RED Chuck Taylor All Star shoe will be available on November 5, 2010 at the following UK and European retailers: Dover Street Market, London; and A Cut Above, Antwerp; Colette, Paris; Limited Editions, Barcelona; Precinct 5, Amsterdam; Slam Jam, Italy; and Wood Wood, Berlin. On World AIDS Day - December 1, 2010 the shoe will be available at the following US retailers: Aloha Rag, New York City and Honolulu; Blends, Costa Mesa; Bodega, Boston; Canvas, Malibu; Kicks Hawaii, Honolulu; UNDFTD, Los Angeles; St. Alfred, Chicago; Converse Boston and New York City stores; and online at www.converse.com.

Shoes come in sizes 3 - 13. Suggested retail price is £90/$100. In honor of World AIDS Day, Converse is ensuring that 100% of the net profit of this shoe will be paid to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Geneva, Switzerland). No part of the purchase price is deductible under U.S. law.