Hudson’s Bay Company x Converse Jack Purcell Collection

I am, and always will, remain a loyal fan of Converse: the wear-anywhere-with-anything sneaker that’s been a staple accessory on the floor of teenage bedrooms ever since its introduction in 1917. Without question, Converse is a heritage brand and so, it’s rather fitting that the company would partner with Canada’s most famous heritage store, The Hudson’s Bay Company.

Incorporating HBC’s iconic red, green, blue and yellow colouring, Converse has released one-of-a-kind styles for Fall 2013. Yes, your shoes, too, can look like that famed woollen point blanket as the recognizable Jack Purcell badminton sneaker is candy-striped in the print we all know and love.

Just like HBC, the Jack Purcell style is steeped in Canadian history as the eponymous man behind the show was a world champion badminton player from Guelph, Ontario. He designed the first hard-court shoe in 1935, which was later bought by Converse in the 70s.

I mean, I know there are a lot of sneaker collectors out there, making these shoes more suitable as keepsakes than kicks to team with your favourite skinnies. They’re incredibly loud, proud and Canadian, with the Purcell and Hudson’s logos adorning the footbed and each shoe carrying a “Seal of Quality” to officially recognize the authenticity of a Hudson’s product. But by playing the nostalgia card, these limited-editions may just fly out of stores like a speeding shuttlecock.

The range will be available at Hudson’s Bay Stores throughout September for prices in varying between $120 and $140, so get them while you can is all I can say.

Images via Converse.com

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