Converse and Paris-based fashion label Vaquera have teamed up to create something truly unexpected — the XXXHi Slouch Wedge and XHi Slouch Wedge. These wildest chucks you’ve ever seen takes on the legendary Chuck silhouette blend Converse’s timeless street DNA with Vaquera’s bold, story-driven creativity.
Founded in 2013 by Patric DiCaprio and Bryn Taubensee, Vaquera has become known for its rebellious approach to fashion — championing contradiction, individuality, and fearless self-expression. From their viral “pillow dresses” to their runway moments at Paris Fashion Week, Vaquera has carved a niche as a leader in avant-garde design.
The new collection, revealed at Vaquera’s Fall/Winter 2025 show, transforms the Chuck into an exaggerated, fabric-rich statement piece. The XXXHi version climbs above the knee, while the XHi stops just below, both challenging traditional ideas of proportion and movement. Crafted from soft, synthetic-waxed canvas, the designs keep Converse’s signature patch and pinstripes while injecting Vaquera’s fearless experimental edge.
“We love to take something well-known like the Chuck and make it feel new,” says Bryn Taubensee, co-founder of Vaquera. “We kept the iconic elements but removed the laces and supersized the upper — creating something familiar yet thrillingly unexpected.”
Shot by Brianna Capozzi and styled by Emma Wyman, the campaign features musician Cortisa Star, embodying the expressive, rule-breaking energy shared by both brands.
In South Africa, the collaboration lands right in sync with a wave of fearless streetwear and youth-driven fashion innovation.
“Converse has always stood for creativity without limits,” says Tebogo Mothlamme, Marketing Manager at Converse South Africa. “This collaboration with Vaquera speaks to a generation that celebrates originality and dares to redefine what style means today.”
This release also marks part of a broader creative alliance between Vaquera and Nike Inc., with an upcoming reinterpretation of the Nike Air Max DN8, Nike’s latest leap in Dynamic Air technology.
The Converse x Vaquera XXXHi Slouch Wedge and XHi Slouch Wedge drop on 11 November, available at converse.com and select South African retailers, starting at R3 199.95.
A bold reimagination of a classic — where Converse’s legacy meets Vaquera’s fearless imagination.
