Philadelphia's Quaker City Mercantile, in a licensing deal with Converse, has created four Chuck Taylor designs under Quaker City Mercantile's Sailor Jerry fashion label.

Philadelphia's Quaker City Mercantile, in a licensing deal with Converse, has created four Chuck Taylor designs under Quaker City Mercantile's Sailor Jerry fashion label. The shoes, according to Quaker City Mercantile, "feature the authentic and vintage artwork of the legendary tattoo artist Norman 'Sailor Jerry' Collins." Moreover, "they're highly customized, featuring tattoo art in unexpected places such as the soles and even the tongue." The initial reaction from retailers has been positive, according to the agency, and Quaker City Mercantile (formerly known as Gyro Worldwide) is presently working on new designs for Converse. The shoes will be sold globally by both Converse and Quaker City Mercantile, with prices running as high as $120 a pair. "Quaker City Mercantile (formerly known as Gyro Worldwide) has done similar licensing deals for clothing with Mt. Dew," notes CEO Steven Grasse. "However, this deal is different because it's a marriage of one of our brands to promote an existing 'heritage' brand. To our knowledge, this is a first."

Client:
Converse

Design:
Quaker City Mercantile (formerly known as Gyro Worldwide) - Philadelphia

Creative Directors:
Steven Grasse
Larry McGearty

Designers:
Nick Paparone
Brigette Valenzano

Producer:
Yelena Shister

Photographer:
Adam Wallacavage