Tremaine Emory is an American artist who hails from Georgia, Atlanta, but grew up in Queens, New York. With a diverse array of talents including radio, podcasts, music and fashion, Tremaine is best known for his fashion creations. He has two successful brands, Denim Tears and No Vacancy Inn, which are exclusive to the United States. He has collaborated with Stüssy, Kanye West, and Virgil Abloh, among others.
His latest collaboration with Converse has a greater purpose in mind. The collaboration aims to inspire the black community to vote, and it does so through the Chuck Taylor All Stars, which are designed based on the Afro-American flag. The flag is a significant part of Tremaine’s work, as it represents the spirit and history that continues to influence a large part of his creative expression. Tremaine’s ancestors were cotton pickers on a plantation in Georgia, with his grandmother being the last family member to experience this firsthand.
Tremaine’s words speak volumes about his passion for the project. “My favourite All Star shoe is the red, white and blue,” he says. “The use of red, black and green creates a unicoloured version that shows the black look on this version and more people recognize themselves in it. It’s about creating a metaphor that blacks play a role in this country that they have helped to build.”
This collaboration is more than just a marketing ploy to sell products. The partnership between Converse and Denim Tears runs deep, as various programs have been established to educate, engage and encourage young black creatives. The proceeds from the sale of the shoes are also donated to Black Lives Matter organizations. The project has the potential to bring about a major change in the United States, as more people will be empowered to receive the support they deserve after being disadvantaged by an unjust system.
Brandis Russell, VP Global Footwear Converse, had this to say about Tremaine’s impact,
“Tremaine Emory stands uniquely for the power of his voice to bring about positive social change. We hope that by bringing the African-American flag together on our iconic Chuck, we are promoting dialogue about the black American experience today. We want to help drive the change we want for a more just future.”
