Barriers doesn’t make passive fashion. It’s active and engaged—teaching, learning and making a statement. Barriers elevates heroes, to amplify messages of anti-racism and progress. In a new collection with Converse, the NYC-based brand draws inspiration from The North Star, a 19th-century anti-slavery newspaper. Utilising a star motif as a cohesive link between the story and the two brands, Barriers educates and empowers a new generation with distinct reworks of the Chuck 70, Pro Leather and court ready apparel.

Barriers Background
 

  • “Streetwear as a library card” – there’s learning involved with every piece from Barriers.
  • Founded in 2015 by Steven Barter, Barriers aims to educate through style.
  • It’s not passive fashion. It’s active and engaged—teaching, learning and making a statement.
  • With a focus on the histories of underrepresented communities, Barriers elevates its unsung heroes to amplify messages of anti-racism and progress.
  • Using archival imagery and bold graphics, Barriers makes pivotal moments and figures relevant to the world today.

Details: Converse x Barriers Chuck 70

  • Limited-edition high top sneaker made with Barriers
  • Classic canvas upper in black
  • Unbleached canvas lining
  • Distressed/edge roughing on quarters, tongue and heel stay
  • Hand stitched embroidery on left and right lateral
  • Embroidered eyelets on left and right medial
  • Overlock stitch tongue edging
  • Barriers logo woven label on tongue
  • Three vibrant 10mm wavy strip poly lace options
  • Cowry shell inspired lace jewel
  • Burnished foxing and toe cap
  • Custom star graphic on outsole
  • Custom graphic on sockliner
  • Custom cobranded sockliner
  • OrthoLite insole

Details: Converse x Barriers Pro Leather

  • Limited-edition high top sneaker made with Barriers
  • Premium suede upper
  • Leather collar lining
  • Natural unbleached canvas upper lining
  • Suede tongue featuring Barriers logo woven label
  • Sherpa star chevron logo on left and right lateral
  • Debossed barriers logo on left and right lateral
  • Three vibrant 8mm flat poly feather yarn laces
  • Cowry shell inspired lace jewel
  • Burnished outsole

Details: Converse x Barriers Court Ready PO Hoodie

  • Limited-edition court ready hoodie made with Barriers
  • 465 GSM heavy weight fleece pull-over hoodie
  • Court ready fit that’s made to move
  • Embroidered star chevron on center chest
  • Barriers woven label on right wrist
  • Embroidered ‘Live | Free | Barriers‘ graphic with reflective ink on center back
  • Back vent with embroidered star on each side in red and green
  • Custom wavy striped drawcord on hood
  • Converse exterior locker loop on back neck
  • Barriers collaboration hang tag

Details: Converse x Barriers Court Ready Crossover Tee

  • Limited-edition court ready t-shirt from Barriers
  • 250 GSM cotton jersey rugby tee
  • Court ready fit that’s made to move
  • Galaxy graphic printed in rubber and reflective ink
  • Figures looking at the stars are screen printed on right hip
  • Barriers logo screen printed on center back
  • Star chevron on upper center chest in reflective ink
  • Converse flag label on left side seam
  • Barriers woven label at exterior back neck
  • Barriers collaboration hang tag

Details: Converse x Barriers Court Ready Cutter Short

  • Limited-edition court ready shorts made with Barriers
  • Nylon cotton ottoman cutter short
  • Standard court ready fit: made to move
  • Barriers stars printed on front
  • Flat, way striped drawcord on waistband with drawcord lock
  • Star chevron embroidered on left thigh
  • Barriers logo screen printed above back left pocket
  • Converse locker loop on exterior back of short
  • Zip pockets on back with flaps
  • Barriers collaboration hang tag

Price Range: 
Converse x Barriers Court Ready Crossover Tee R 899. 95
Converse x Barriers Court Ready Cutter Short R 1 499.95
Converse x Barriers Chuck 70 R1, 699.95
Converse x Barriers Pro Leather R1, 699.95
Converse x Barriers Court Ready PO Hoodie R 1, 799.95