Is Converse A Fast Fashion Brand? An Expert Breakdown!

Converse is a well-known American sneaker brand distinguished by its timeless footwear and distinctive All Star design.

In 1917, Converse began producing a prototype basketball shoe; Chuck Taylor urged the business to remodel it in 1922 with improved support and flexibility.

Converse is now a division of the American multinational firm Nike after being purchased by the latter in 2003 for $305 million.

Converse had just over $200 million in annual sales when Nike acquired it. Sales have increased nearly ten-fold to a current revenue of $1.7 billion since then.

During production, the sneakers are first designed in the USA and then made in Asia. Since the company holds all shoe manufacturing to the same high standard, the production quality is the same everywhere.

The factories where Converse shoes are created are located in Asia: Indonesia, China, India, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Pakistan. Converse were made in the United States up until 2001. The 'Made in America' Converse sneakers have become highly sought-after collectibles.

172 retail locations throughout the world receive Converse shoes for sale. No matter which store you buy them from, you can anticipate the same degree of quality.

Sustainability Rating: 6/10

Category: Clothing, shoes, accessories

For: Women, men, kids

Products: Shoes, tops and t-shirts, jackets and sweatshirts, pants and shorts, bags and backpacks, hats, socks, laces

Style: Street style, hip hop, casual

Quality: High

Prices: £3.00-£180.00

Sizes: XS-3XL, 2-26 (US), 4-30 (UK), 32-58 (EU), 6-32 (AU)

Fabrics: Cotton, nylon, polyester, spandex, suede, polyurethane, acrylic, rubber, wool, leather

100% Organic: No

100% Vegan: No

Ethical & Fair: Yes

Recycling: Yes

Manufacturing countries: United States, Indonesia, China, India, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Pakistan

Certifications: FSC, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001

Interpretation Of The Sustainability Score

If a brand receives a sustainability score of 6/10 is somewhat on the right track to make fashion sustainable. They are more transparent and responsible than most apparel brands and take massive action to reduce their impacts.

What Are The Sustainability Practices Of Converse?

Converse employs materials with less of an impact, which lessens its overall environmental impact. The company further demonstrates its dedication to sustainability by reusing part of its textile offcuts in an effort to reduce waste.

In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both its direct operations and supplier chain, Converse has established a goal that is supported by research. There is currently no proof, though, that they are on course to achieve this goal.

The company claims to be on track to achieve another goal that it has set: eliminating harmful chemicals by 2025.

The brand’s facility has achieved LEED certification, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable site development, water conservation, energy efficiency, material choice, and indoor environmental quality.

Are There Any Ethical Practices Of Converse?

The "People" rating at Converse places a high priority on employee rights. By having the Fair Labor Association (FLA) certify the brand's social auditing program, they guarantee that their ethical standards are upheld.

Converse earned a score of 51-60% on the 2022 Fashion Transparency Index, which is considered to be a moderate level of transparency.

Although the company has a basic policy to support diversity and inclusion in its supply chain, there is no evidence to imply that it guarantees its employees are paid living wages in the majority of its supply chain. Converse could do better in this regard.

Does Converse Ensure They Are Not Using Child Labor?

There have been claims that Converse employs child labor in some of its global factories. Despite the corporation's claims that it opposes child labor, there have been reports that the company may have engaged in the practice.

According to a 2004 investigation commissioned by the International Labour Organization (ILO), Converse factories in Indonesia used children as young as 12 years old.

The research also revealed that the children were earning as little as $0.50 per hour, which is significantly less than the adult minimum wage. The business refuted the claims and said it has robust protocols in place to stop such behavior.

A human rights organization by the name of Global Alliance for Workers and Communities (GAWC) published a study in 2012 alleging that Converse employed children in its Vietnam-based factories.

The investigation revealed that 10 year olds were working in dangerous conditions in the plants. The business refuted the claims and said it was unaware of any child labor occurring in its facilities.

Converse has taken a number of measures to make sure that child labor is not being used in its factories in response to the claims.

The business has put in place a Supplier Code of Conduct that sets its demands for suppliers' factories in terms of labor rights and safety regulations. The code contains a zero-tolerance policy on the employment of child labor, and the business has promised to act quickly to remedy any infractions that are found.

Additionally, the business has teamed up with the nonprofit Global Alliance for Workers and Communities (GAWC) to support the advancement of worker rights in the nations where its factories are situated. The business has also started a program called "Responsible Sourcing" to make sure that its suppliers follow its labor requirements.

Does Converse Give Back To The Community?

Converse has an LGBT employee platform and received a perfect score on the HRC's Index. They have been supporting organizations and giving outstanding product lines that cater to the LGBT community for many years.

Converse has contributed more than $1.3 million to local and international LGBT+ organizations since launching its inaugural Pride collection in 2015.

Does Converse Have Any Animal Welfare Policies?

Converse has a fundamental policy in place with regard to animal care. But still, we haven’t seen any definite implementation strategies to safeguard the welfare of animals.

Also, the brand has never shown if they use any animal-derived ingredients in the first step of production which needs to be highlighted.

Furthermore, the brand uses wool and leather in its products. But there is no proof that they use angora, feathers, fur, skin from exotic animals, or hair from unusual animals.

Sources:

https://marketingtherainbow.info/case%20studies/fashion/converse

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Taylor_All-Stars#:~:text=Converse%20started%20making%20an%20early,as%20Chuck%20Taylor%20All%20Stars.

https://jobs.converse.com/social-impact

https://directory.goodonyou.eco/brand/converse

https://sustainablereview.com/brand-ratings/converse/#:~:text=Environmental%20Policies%3A,demonstrating%20its%20commitment%20to%20sustainability.

https://shoeeffect.com/does-converse-use-child-labor/

https://www.yournextshoes.com/brands/converse/

https://wearablyweird.com/where-are-converse-made-production-faqs-guide/#:~:text=The%20sneakers%20are%20designed%20in,to%20172%20retail%20stores%20worldwide