2025.07.11

The History & Evolution of Jack Purcell, Celebrating Its 90th Anniversary This Year

#Jack Purcell

#Converse

#sneakers

#90th anniversary

#Jack Purcell 1935

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The "Jack Purcell" was first launched in 1935 as the signature shoes of John Edward "Jack" Purcell, a Canadian badminton player. Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, Converse draws inspiration from vintage details of the 1970s with its new line, the "Jack Purcell 1935," which is modernized using today's technology and sensibility.

We spoke with Koji Horiuchi, who is in charge of the MD for "Jack Purcell" at Converse Japan Co., Ltd., about the brand's history and evolution.

The Precursor of Signature Shoes

While signature athlete models are now common, collaboration between athletes and shoe companies was rare back then. In that era, a pair of shoes was born that would later become known as a masterpiece: the "Jack Purcell."

When we asked Horiuchi, who is now the MD for this model in its 90th year, about its history, he explained:

"'Jack Purcell' was developed in 1935 as shoes for tennis and badminton. Jack Purcell, a Canadian badminton player who had won the World Championship, participated in the development, and the product was released using his name as the product name."