Sometime in 1908, Marquis Mills Converse decided to start a rubber shoe company, bypassing a rubber trust that prevented most companies from doing business directly with their retailers. Mr. Converse’s idea worked. But more importantly, it survived. Sometime mid-century, the All Star basketball sneaker was born, and became a CONVERSE signature sneaker. There was something about the ankle patch, red midsole stripe and no-nonsense approach to the game that at least 1 million people couldn’t resist. CONVERSE enters its second century by honoring its heritage of seeing things a little differently, loving people who want to change the world for the better, and basically celebrating the spirit of rebellion and originality in basketball, Rock & Roll and anywhere else you find it. Also see our men's CONVERSE collection.