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by The Backseat Stylers | February 9th, 2013 
Happy Chinese New Year! We at The Backseat Stylers are celebrating the only ways we know how, namely by: (1) stuffing our faces with dim sum, and (2) buying swanky new kicks. Specifically, we’ve got our eye on Converse‘s sneaker collection in honour of the Year of the Snake.
The line-up features 2 styles, the Chuck Taylor All Star Chinese New Year Collection ($75-100) and the Pro Leather Year of the Snake ($130), and both are to-die-for. Leather high tops have been on my wishlist for years now, and these are definite must-haves.
Converse’s CNY offerings are available in selected retailers around the world and on converse.com. Now all I have to do is settle on which pair…decisions, decisions…
 
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by The Backseat Stylers | July 11th, 2012 
Converse previews are always delightfully torturous experiences. Delightful because, well, who wouldn’t want to see the classic Chuck Taylors in their new range of colours or the latest and greatest collaborations hitting stores next season? Torturous, though, on account of the fact that the styles I end up coveting most are always from the men’s line and not produced in my size, which I already whined about in my Spring 2012 post. Yesterday’s Fall 2012 preview was no less delightful…or torturous.
As usual, the designs by John Varvatos were at the top of my list, with the black leather pair with removable high-tops at the very, very top. I’ll be buying the Mister a pair so I can live vicariously through him. A close second was the DC Comics collaboration that I just can’t seem to get enough of, even with this pair already in my superhero arsenal. One can never own too many Superman Cons, after all. In the third spot was the pair of hot pink high-tops I scored on my way out of the preview, which are sure to be a weekend favourite this summer.
Check out the gallery below for a preview of Converse’s Fall 2012 collection. What’s catching your eye?
  
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | April 12th, 2012 
The Mister, baby and me sported matching Superman Converse shoes this past weekend because, you know, that’s just how we do. We’re the biggest Superman fans around, and what better way to show it then through our footwear choices? Exactly.
The rest of my ensemble was a little less heroic looking. Smythe jackets and Balenciaga bags are pretty super, by my measure, but the Converse x DC Comics Chuck Taylors were obviously the source of my superhero powers. Or so I told the little one.
Want a pair too? Enter our giveaway over here for a chance to win some superhero kicks of your own!
  
Smythe blazer / T by Alexander Wang t-shirt / J Brand cargos / Converse x DC Comics shoes / J.Crew necklace / Balenciaga bag / YSL ring / MAKE UP FOR EVER make-up
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | April 9th, 2012 
I confessed recently, in my Converse Spring 2012 preview post, that we here at The Backseat Stylers are huge Superman fans. In fact, we even have the matching Superman Chuck Taylors to prove it.
Want in on that action? Well have we got a contest for you! This week, we’re giving away one pair of Converse x DC Comics Chuck Taylor All Stars from the Spring 2012 collection to one lucky reader. You know you want these, so be sure to enter!
Contest Rules:
1. To enter, leave us a comment on this blog post and ‘like’ both Converse and The Backseat Stylers’ Facebook pages here and here.
2. For one (1) extra entry, follow both Converse and The Backseat Stylers on Twitter, and tweet the following: “The @backseatstylers are giving away a pair of @Converse x @dccomics Chuck Taylor All Stars, and I want them! http://bit.ly/IaecAu #giveaway”
3. Entries must be received by April 15, 2012 11:59pm. The winner will be selected randomly from the submissions using random.org and will be announced on April 16, 2012. The winner will be notified by e-mail.
4. This giveaway is open to readers in Canada only.
5. The prize will be one (1) pair of one of the four styles shown, based on size availability. There are no prize substitutions.
UPDATE:
This contest is now closed. Congratulations to…Erika! You’ve won a pair of Converse x DC Comics Chuck Taylor All Stars. Thanks to all who entered, and stay tuned for the next giveaway.
   
xx, T & S
Images courtesy of Converse
by The Backseat Stylers | March 7th, 2012 
I have a bone to pick with Converse.
Every season, I’m excited to attend the media preview for the upcoming collection, and every season I come out with quite a wish list. The only problem? It’s the men’s shoes I keep falling head over heels for and they, quite tragically, don’t come in my size. The designs from the ongoing John Varvatos x Converse collaboration are always standouts – I’m dying for a pair of embellished leather high tops. Can we make this happen, pretty please?
Thankfully, there are plenty of other styles to keep my feet occupied until the day I get my hands on some John Varvatos. The special edition DC Comics Chuck Taylors are favourites; we’re big Superman fans here at The Backseat Stylers and are building a mini collection of Superman Cons to fit everyone from the baby to the Mister to yours truly. I’m happy to see there are new styles coming for Spring, with illustrations straight out of the comic books. And, of course, the basic Converse shoe in vibrant pops of colour are always weekend essentials.
There are a lot of fun styles hitting stores soon, including more Jack Purcell this season, as well as collaborations with Marimekko and Gorillaz. What’s on your list, for you and your Mister?
P.S. Check out my Converse-inspired nail art from the preview, courtesy of Wow Wow Nails!
   
xx, S
by The Backseat Stylers | August 2nd, 2011 
My love affair with Converse continues. I recently attended a preview of the Fall 2011 collection, and while I’ve managed to pick up quite a few pairs in the last year, a few more caught my eye. I need, for example, leather Cons in my life. The leather offerings come in neutral tones and some even with lining for colder weather – how perfect does that sound for a casual outing on a crisp Fall day?
I could also do with more variety in my Converse collection. My current rotation of Chucks is made up of neutral or muted colours; I need a pair that will give my simple t-shirt-and-jeans ensembles a pop of colour. A red, perhaps, or maybe even purple. Whichever new pair makes it into my closet this Fall, one thing is certain: no matter how many pairs of Converse shoes you own, there’s always room for another.
   
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by The Backseat Stylers | July 15th, 2011 
Just a short year ago, I wasn’t remotely interested in Converse shoes; between my stiletto pumps and cute flats and a running shoe on occasion, I didn’t think there was any need for Chucks in my life. Then I got invited to a media preview and saw all sorts of incredible collaborations between Converse and DC Comics, Marimekko and the like, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Converse’s ongoing partnership with Italian fashion house Missoni and their latest joint project, the limited edition Auckland Racer, only makes an even bigger fan out of me.
Introduced with Missoni’s Spring 2012 men’s collection at Milan Men’s Fashion Week, the knitted sneakers were designed to complement a vintage-style track suit created by Ottavio Missoni himself in 1948 (via freshnessmag). I adore the results – the colour palette, the pattern, the silhouette, all of it. And I much prefer them over the colourful zigzag patterned Chuck Taylors the Missoni x Converse partnership has been producing so far. The Auckland Racers still showcase the iconic Missoni patterns like the Chucks do, but are much more subtle.
Sure, knitted sneakers aren’t the most practical of shoes but, then again, neither are the 6″ platform pumps I can barely walk in. At least these are comfortable.
  
xx, S
Images via freshnessmag
by The Backseat Stylers | June 20th, 2011 
Me with the bloggers behind Coco & Lowe, Catriona Smart (left) and Eva Rosalia (right)
The 2011 edition of the Much Music Video Awards was this weekend, and I kicked off my MMVA festivities Saturday with a visit to The BHD Experience at the Hotel Germain in downtown Toronto. Hosted by some of Toronto’s most popular bloggers, the gifting suites promised top brands like Converse, Beyond The Rack, Bench, Blo, Joico, LINE Knitwear and David’s Tea. I arrived to find four lounges with distinct vibes offering up more fun than I’d bargained for on an otherwise quiet Saturday afternoon.
BLO x COCO & LOWE – TEA & BEAUTY LOUNGE
My first order of business upon arrival at The BHD Experience was some much needed pampering, courtesy of Blo blow dry bar. I got some curls in my usually stick-straight hair, sipped on some chilled David’s Tea, chatted with the lovely ladies of Coco & Lowe, picked out a pair of cute nautical earrings by Vintage Pink Treasures, and played dress-up with a rack of fabulous LINE Knitwear. All of that in just one lounge, and there were still three more to go.
 
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by The Backseat Stylers | February 22nd, 2011 
I’ve been following footwear and accessories designer Charlotte Olympia Dellal’s Today I’m Wearing feature this month at Vogue UK. Ever since I met her this past Fall at The Room at the Bay’s The Next British Invasion event I’ve been a huge fan of her personal style. Each day in February, she’s been wearing pair after pair of fabulous shoes from her own line. Imagine my surprise when on day 7 of her month-long style diary for British Vogue she kept her outfit casual with a pair of snakeskin print Converse shoes, confessing “Converse (is) my footwear brand of choice if I don’t wear my own!” Well, if that’s not a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is; though Converse didn’t have a presence in my shoe closet at that point, it was clearly time to give the brand a second look.
Quite serendipitously, an invite to the Converse Spring 2011 preview arrived in my inbox a few days later (thanks to MB Communications!), and I had the opportunity to see the very best of what Converse has to offer for the upcoming season, up close and personal. Between the collaborations with DC Comics, Marimekko, and John Varvatos, the Jack Purcell line, and unexpected twists on the classics, I was floored by all the creative styles Converse is putting out for Spring. I now officially count myself as a Converse fan and am ready to procure my very first pair!
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THE BACKSEAT STYLERS BY T & S
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