Converse RENEW.
What does it mean to renew a classic? Seen Displays and Ma-tt-er collaborated with Converse on the launch of their first RENEW Converse style, a shoe made from recycled plastic bottles and rubber. The launch in Coal Drops Yard was host to a series of educational events which questioned current and future uses of plastic in footwear.
Ma-tt-er were asked to assist Seen Displays in sustainably approaching material use in a temporary shop environment. It was imperative that the launch space reflect the ethos of the RENEW Converse, meaning that we implemented a system that required all fixtures and fittings to be designed for disassembly and future use.
The RENEW Space acted as an educational tool displaying the issues, realities and present solutions surrounding the use of plastic and rubber in design meaning it was possible to assess the importance of these questions in relation to the RENEW Converse. To support this we selected the work of local sustainable designers working with plastic, rubber and technology at differing scales to be exhibited in the space.
In an educational capacity we were invited to introduce, discuss and dispel some common misconceptions surrounding plastic and rubber to Converse, Footlocker and Office employees. We introduced employees to ideas that surround current discussions in sustainability and recycling and the underlying systems in place for current material developments in this field.
Credits: Photography by TDM.Space