Controversy
In 2003, Nike bought Converse for around $305 million. While Converse dominated the U.S. sneaker market from the 1920s until the 1970s, it began to struggle due to competition and lack of funds. In the years following, Converse filed bankruptcy multiple times and fell into further debt and eventually sold to Nike. Chuck Taylor All Stars as well as Converse's other shoes began to be manufactured in foreign countries like China, Vietnam and Indonesia. Longtime Converse fans were against the change and some even stopped wearing the shoes. Nike’s manufacturing took place in Asia and many people took a stand against the sweatshop manufacturing of the shoes. Many also feared that Nike would change the look and status of All Stars and over-commercialize the shoes. The culture jamming group Adbusters started selling a Fairtrade shoe made from Hemp and recycled rubber called the Black Spot. Nike has not changed the look or advertising of Converse since buying in 2003, but controversy over Nike’s ties to Converse still exist.
Read more about this topic: Chuck Taylor All-Stars
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