Converse and Paris-based fashion label Vaquera have joined forces to unveil the XXXHi Slouch Wedge and XHi Slouch Wedge, a daring reinterpretation of the classic Chuck silhouette. This collaboration merges Converse’s timeless design language with Vaquera’s rebellious, narrative-driven creativity.

Founded in 2013 by Patric DiCaprio and Bryn Taubensee, Vaquera has built a cult following for its irreverent, anti-establishment approach to fashion—celebrating contradiction, individuality, and unfiltered self-expression. From viral pillow dresses to their Paris Fashion Week runways, Vaquera has become a true emblem of fashion’s avant-garde spirit.

Unveiled during Vaquera’s Fall/Winter 2025 presentation, the Converse × Vaquera XXXHi Slouch Wedge and XHi Slouch Wedge transform the Chuck into exaggerated, textile-rich silhouettes with hidden wedge soles. The XXXHi extends dramatically above the knee, while the XHi lands just below—both designed to challenge proportions and movement.

Crafted in synthetic-waxed canvas that softens with wear, the shoes preserve Converse’s signature DNA—iconic patches, pinstripes, and canvas texture—while infusing Vaquera’s signature experimentalism.

“We love to take something well-known like the Chuck and make it feel new. We kept many of the iconic elements but removed the laces and supersized the upper. The effect is something familiar yet completely unexpected.”

says Bryn Taubensee, co-founder of Vaquera

Photographed by Brianna Capozzi and styled by Emma Wyman, the campaign stars musician Cortisa Star, embodying the expressive, boundary-breaking energy that defines both Converse and Vaquera.

In South Africa, the collaboration arrives at a moment when local streetwear and youth culture are thriving on bold self-expression.

“Converse has always stood for creativity without limits. Collaborations like this one speak to our local audience’s appetite for originality—it’s about celebrating those who dare to do things differently and redefine what style means today.”

says Tebogo Mothlamme, Marketing Manager at Converse South Africa

The Converse x Vaquera partnership also forms part of a broader collaboration with Nike Inc., which includes a forthcoming reinterpretation of the Nike Air Max DN8, the latest evolution in Dynamic Air technology.

The Converse × Vaquera XXXHi and XHi Slouch Wedge footwear will be available from 11 November at converse.com and select retailers across South Africa, with prices starting at R3 199.95.