It's not what you wear... Converse gets creative

As Freshers Week kicks off all over the country today, look to Converse's 'back to school' project for a lesson in new term style.

Following the launch of their first bags and accessories line back in August (preview it here), Converse teamed up with some of the finest young stylists, music writers and creatives to reminisce back to the days when they used their school bag to express their own personal style.

Converse's original League Player duffel

Provided simply with a Converse duffel bag, a pencil case and a notebook, the results tell an interesting tale of fashion's role in self-expression, creativity and identity with added personal and nostalgic messages into what it meant to be an individual once the new term began. And like the stylists themselves, the creative results ranged from the classic, to the extrovert and extraordinary. Here are some of my favs:

HOPE VON JOEL - Stylist and Accessories Designer, one half of the talented design duo Eye of the World Designs creating stunning handmade wooden accessories and contributing Fashion Editor to Fiasco Magazine.

The Inspiration Behind the Bag:

School was all about skateboarding and listening to music so the bag reflects that but it’s also inspired by the film Back to the Future, the first one in particular - where Mcfly steals the skateboard from the kid and does a wheelie.  At school we also loved design technology and woodwork and using all the crazy workshop tools!  We wanted to create something beautiful to touch, with a nod to the old school with the reclaimed wood and the future with the super slick red flock I think we achieved something pretty fresh!

Alexis Knox and her Connie The Coverse Duffel creation

ALEXIS KNOX - Style Mentor on T4's Style The Nation alongside Giles Deacon and Nick Grimshaw, fashion editor at Notion Magazine and host of London's infamous club night 'Circus'

Describe your school style?

Accessorize to the max! I went to a Convent school where the uniform was pretty strict... a kilt! So it was alll about customizing to the max with plastic bangles, kids accessories and gweebo bunches!

What band inspired your style?

Um Spice Girls obvs! Everyone wanted me to be Baby Spice and all I wanted to do was rock the Scary Spice leopard and camo combos!

Work It

WORK IT - London's coolest 90s night - has a reputation for drawing the biggest crowds with a cult following craving their unique blend of music, hosting nights for Selfridges, Lovebox, Warner Music and London Fashion Week.

Larry B at work it - Describe your style at school?

My style at school was your general London rudeboy schoolboy. 

What was your favourite accessory?

Favorite accessory would have to be a fake Gucci/Prada strap pouch from Vauxhall market!

Sam Voulters' 'Monster Bag'

SAM VOULTERS - Fashion Editor at Vice, stylist, brand consultant and writer

Describe your style at school?

It started with the pinnacle of nu metal and went down hill from there.

Britta Burger's All American Bag

BRITTA BURGER - London based stylist, photographer and acting fashion ed at Cooler Magazine. 

The inspiration behind the bag:

The canvas of the bag was just asking to be drawn on with the markers and I suppose it’s also an abstract take on the classic stars and stripes, but I was inspired by the iconic pop art aspect of it, not the fact that it’s a national flag.

Synamatix

ALEX POWIS 'SYNAMATIX' - Editor in Chief and Mixtapes Director of the UK's finest streetwear blog, The Daily Street

Bags Inspiration:

Daily Street X Dead Plate.  All the drawings are logo’s of old record labels.

The new line is available from August at stockists including Schuh, JD Sports and www.blackleaf.com Prices range from £19 - £54.95

IMAGE CREDITS:  CURTIS GIBSON