Preface

Today, the styles of footwear available to humans are virtually countless. When categorized, sneakers undoubtedly top the list in terms of popularity. Among all types of footwear, sneakers are the most accessible, worn by a wide range of individuals regardless of age, gender, race, or social class. They are also highly versatile, not only seen on sports fields and in gyms but also in various settings of everyday life, even gracing high-end events. However, one often overlooked aspect is that sneakers also boast the highest level of technological innovation. The transformation of sneakers into technology-intensive products has occurred predominantly within the last four decades.

Tracing back to the earliest origins, sneakers can be dated to the 1830s, less than 200 years ago, using the broadest criteria. It was during this time that John Boyd Dunlop, an inventor and founder of the Liverpool Rubber Company in England, pioneered the combination of canvas uppers with rubber soles. Initially, however, the untreated natural rubber exhibited poor performance, limiting its application primarily to beach shoes. A decade later, Charles Goodyear, Dunlop's American counterpart, revolutionized the industry with his invention of the vulcanization process for rubber, marking a significant technological advancement. This innovation paved the way for the creation of the simplest, yet foundational, modern sneakers, featuring vulcanized rubber soles paired with canvas uppers.

In contrast to traditional shoes with hard soles, sneakers offered a stealthy and silent tread, making them favorable for nefarious activities such as sneak attacks. Consequently, sneakers gained an unfortunate reputation among criminals. The term "sneaker," derived from the English verb "sneak" meaning to move quietly or stealthily, became associated with this footwear in both English and American lexicons. The suffix "er" appended to "sneak" denotes a person or thing, thus "sneaker" came to refer to someone who sneaks or moves quietly, often with nefarious intent.

The evolution of sneakers from rudimentary beach shoes to astonishing technological marvels represents a journey that is more than merely intriguing. The aforementioned anecdotes merely scratch the surface of the rich tapestry of sneaker stories. However, what are the fascinating backstories and origins of various sneaker models, and what are the compelling narratives of the pioneers who shaped their development? Allow me to elaborate.

CONVERSE ALL Star: The Synonym for Canvas Shoes

Converse Doesn't Take a Summer Break

Converse Rubber Shoe Co. was founded in 1908 by the 47-year-old American Marquis Mills Converse in Malden, Massachusetts. The company's flagship product was the rubber overshoe (galosh), which was initially used to cope with poor road conditions. Due to the popularity of overshoes during spring, autumn, and winter, rubber manufacturing companies often faced low operating rates in the summer. Starting in 1910, Converse began targeting the sneaker market, introducing basketball shoes and successful tennis shoes. In 1917, Converse unveiled the high-performance sneaker "Non-Skid," which was personally designed by Mr. Converse. This basketball shoe, with its vulcanized rubber sole, excelled and became one of the best-performing soles at that time. Through advertising, Converse emphasized the lightweight and sleek design of the "Non-Skid," making it the first professional basketball shoe in the United States and globally. Although basketball was not popular at that time, Converse believed that it would become widespread and thus introduced this high-top, brown, black-trimmed sneaker. Despite slow sales, Mr. Converse firmly believed that basketball would gain popularity because it originated in 1891, required minimal space, and was suitable for mass participation. Converse was located on the east coast of the United States, where the population density was high, and many young people were looking for new ball sports. Converse's strategic vision was commendable, but achieving strategic goals also required excellent execution.

Chuck Taylor and the All Star

Charles Hollis "Chuck" Taylor, a basketball player from Indiana, embarked on a professional basketball career upon reaching adulthood in 1919. On the court, he developed a fondness for the Non-Skid shoes and enthusiastically recommended them to fellow basketball enthusiasts. In 1921, Chuck Taylor joined the Converse company as a full-time traveling salesman, a move that was considered a wise decision by the company. Although rumors suggest that Taylor made crucial improvements to the All Star sneaker after joining the company, there is no direct evidence in historical archives to support this claim. Nevertheless, regardless of the specific decision-making process behind the improvements and renaming, Chuck Taylor's contributions cannot be overstated.

With his charming personality and excellent communication skills, Chuck Taylor traveled across the United States, visiting YMCAs and high school gymnasiums, where he diligently promoted the Non-Skid shoes and drove up sales. He had a vast network of connections and a deep understanding of the game of basketball. Often driving a white Cadillac and living in motels for most of the year, Taylor traveled extensively to market the All Star. He also conducted basketball coaching clinics and "informal basketball workshops" to train basketball coaches, who would then place orders for All Star shoes after the trainings.

Chuck Taylor's extraordinary marketing strategies had a profound impact, ensuring that high school athletes wore Converse canvas shoes as they became the next generation of professional basketball players. Experts in basketball shoe culture believe that a beautiful symbiotic relationship formed between Converse, Chuck Taylor, and the sport of basketball. Taylor's legacy and influence on the brand and the game are still felt today, as the Chuck Taylor All Star remains a popular and iconic sneaker in the basketball and fashion worlds.

Chuck Taylor: The Seed Sower and the First Signature Shoe

Chuck Taylor was not just a traveling salesman; he also donned the hat of a publisher. In the same year that the Non-Skid was renamed the All Star, he conceived and published the "Converse Basketball Year Book" magazine, aimed at promoting basketball culture. Whether it was through his magazine or the training clinics he conducted, his goal was to make Converse synonymous with the sport of basketball. During the 1926-1927 season, Chuck Taylor returned to the court as the coach and manager of the Converse company team, aptly named the "All Stars." It was common for shoe and rubber companies at that time to establish clubs and organize basketball games to promote the sport. Taylor's multifaceted approach, which included traveling sales, training clinics, magazine publishing, and team coaching, cemented the All Star as a household name among basketball coaches across the United States.

As the Great Depression hit in 1929, sneaker and rubber shoe manufacturers struggled, but Converse managed to stay afloat in the industry. With the rapid development of basketball, new demands emerged in sneaker design. Minor tweaks were made to the All Star, such as adding grooves around the outsole and thickening the rubber at the toe for durability. However, it was in 1932 that the All Star truly acquired its distinctive feature: Chuck Taylor's signature on the ankle patch. This marked the world's first signature sneaker released by Converse, a design that has remained unchanged until today.

Taylor's vision and dedication to promoting basketball and the All Star sneaker not only solidified his legacy as a basketball icon but also established Converse as a pioneer in the sneaker industry. The Chuck Taylor All Star continues to be a symbol of basketball culture and fashion, worn by generations of basketball players and sneaker enthusiasts alike.

Market Dominance: The Chuck Taylor All Star Story

Despite its somewhat lengthy name, the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe is often referred to by consumers using various shorthand terms such as "Chuck Taylor All Star," "Converse All Star," "All Star," "Chuck Taylor," and simply "Chuck." Due to the shoe's significance to the Converse company, it is also commonly referred to simply as "Converse."

Following the Great Depression, Converse successfully captured the entire basketball shoe market. This was especially true after the Berlin Olympics, when patriotic fervor among Americans propelled Converse to design a Chuck Taylor All Star inspired by the colors of the American flag. This design became an instant hit and was adopted as the official shoe of the U.S. basketball team for the Olympics. During World War II, the shoe was selected as the athletic training footwear for the U.S. armed forces, further solidifying its place as a manufacturer of wartime essentials.

The establishment of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1946 marked the ascendance of basketball. As the sport grew, so did the influence of Converse and Chuck Taylor in the basketball shoe market. In 1949, the merger of the BAA and the National Basketball League (NBL) formed the present-day NBA. That same year, Converse released its black-and-white colorway, which remains available to this day.

By 1957, Converse held an astonishing 80% market share in the American basketball shoe market, with the Chuck Taylor All Star becoming synonymous with basketball footwear. That same year, the low-top version was introduced, offering a more casual alternative and challenging the cultural norm of not wearing sneakers outside the basketball court. However, with changing times, Converse announced Chuck Taylor's retirement in 1968. Tragically, Taylor passed away from a heart attack in 1969, unable to witness the eventual downfall of Converse. That same year, the release of the Adidas Superstar trial version marked the end of the Chuck Taylor All Star's dominance in the basketball shoe market.

Abandoning the Mainstage: The Rebellious Youth and the Fall of an Icon

The period from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s witnessed rapid technological advancements in athletic footwear, while Converse's design remained relatively stagnant over five decades, resulting in a gradual technological lag. In 1971, Converse made a pivotal decision to introduce a wide range of colored canvas shoes for the first time. This strategy made Converse increasingly popular among young people who were not involved in basketball. The colorways became a tool for students to express their loyalty to school teams and individuality.

However, after announcing Chuck Taylor's retirement in 1968, Converse stubbornly clung to its identity as a sports-focused, high-performance shoe brand, failing to embrace its elevated status in pop culture. The company missed out on the mainstage of trendy culture and failed to keep up with the trend of sneakers becoming a popular cultural symbol. Meanwhile, competitors like Adidas introduced innovative basketball shoes in the professional market, gradually overshadowing Converse. Converse's inflexibility in adapting to market changes led to the collapse of the Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker market in the late 1980s to early 1990s.

Converse faced bankruptcy in the late 1980s to early 1990s, as the investment in developing new shoes yielded little return, and several poor decisions depleted its cash reserves, leaving the company heavily indebted. Although the Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers provided a temporary boost in sales, Converse filed for bankruptcy on January 22, 2001, as part of a series of bankruptcy protection filings. On March 30th of the same year, Converse shut down its last factory in the United States, shifting its production entirely overseas.

Nike Scores a Bargain: The Rise of Chuck 70

In 2003, Nike successfully acquired Converse for 305million,rescuingtheiconicbrandfromitsbankruptstateandwelcomingitintotheNikefold.Asthedominantplayerintheathleticfootwearmarket,NikenotonlygainedownershipofanAmericanculturaliconbutalsoprovidedConversewithapowerfulsalesnetwork.UnderNike

sumbrella,Converseexpandedbeyonditsperformance−orientedrootsandachievedremarkablegrowth.Intheyearoftheacquisition,Conversegenerated200 million in revenue, which skyrocketed to $2 billion by 2015 under Nike's stewardship.

In 2013, Nike introduced the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star '70, commonly known as "Chuck 70." This model paid homage to the brand's heritage while incorporating contemporary technologies. The Chuck 70 featured subtle differences from the classic silhouette, including thicker canvas, chunkier laces, a more pronounced toe cap, extended stitching on the upper, and a thicker rubber midsole. Additionally, the shoe boasted a polyurethane insole for improved comfort and support, making it one of the most comfortable offerings in the All Star lineup. Despite its higher price point, the Chuck 70 was a hit with consumers.

The Chuck 70 not only appealed to longtime Converse fans but also attracted a new generation of sneaker enthusiasts who appreciated its classic style and modern comfort. Nike's acquisition of Converse and the subsequent launch of the Chuck 70 proved to be a winning strategy, revitalizing the brand and solidifying its position as a timeless American icon.

Deep and Enduring Cultural Influence

The All Star sneaker has played a pivotal role in popular culture, spanning across music, film, television, and, of course, basketball. It has become a staple footwear choice for many, representing more than just a shoe but a statement of style and identity. For basketball legends like Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman, the All Star sneaker evoked nostalgic memories of their youth, serving as a testament to its timeless appeal.

Dennis Rodman, in particular, expressed a profound connection to the Chuck 70, associating it with his upbringing in Texas and the sense of belonging it gave him. This emotional attachment highlights the shoe's ability to transcend mere footwear and become a symbol of personal history and cultural significance.

The All Star's popularity in the United States is unparalleled, with an estimated seven out of ten Americans owning at least one pair. This widespread adoption has solidified its status as a ubiquitous symbol of Americana, embodying a sense of patriotism and accessibility. From politicians to celebrities, the sight of influential figures donning the iconic sneaker on various occasions underscores its universal appeal across different socio-cultural spheres.

The shoe's enduring popularity can be attributed to its clean and gender-neutral design, which has remained relevant and appealing over the decades. With over a billion pairs sold worldwide, the All Star stands as one of the most widely distributed sneakers on the planet, a testament to its enduring legacy in fashion and culture. Its impact is not just limited to one generation or demographic but has permeated across various subgroups, solidifying its place as a cultural icon.

↑The preceding text has been adapted from the book titled "The Past and Present of 22 Legendary Sneakers" written by Huang He and Cao Wei.

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• Trigger words: CVAS, black shoes. You can also add "shoes" if needed. Overall, make sure the prompt doesn't contain any contradictory terms to the desired effect.

• The base model used is ChilloutMix. I've tested it, and other well-known realistic, 2D, and 2.5D large models can also produce good results.

• The recommended number of iteration steps (Steps) is 20~40, depending on the situation for more than 40.

• For sampling methods (Sampler), DPM series or Euler, Euler a are recommended.

• The recommended size is between 512~1024.

• The prompt guidance coefficient (CFG Scale) is recommended to be between 7~12.

• The LoRA weight depends on the situation, generally fluctuating around 1.

• For high-resolution fixes (Hires. fix), if you want to preserve the structure of the image to the maximum extent, a redrawing range of 0.3~0.5 is recommended. For more freedom, 0.5~0.7 is fine! It's up to you.

• If needed, you can enable After Detailer.

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After a whole week of toiling day and night, creating dozens of times and generating hundreds of models, I finally experienced what it means to refine something to perfection through relentless effort. (Damn it! If I had this kind of spirit when I was studying, I could have gone to Harvard or Yale!!)

This is probably the most exhausting LoRA I've ever made!! Although I understood before starting that it would be very difficult if I was making models of clothing on actual models instead of just static commercial images, I still chose to bravely forge ahead! If I don't go to hell, who will?

It's only after actually doing it that I can understand why there are so few people making shoe LoRAs online, and I've come to appreciate how impressive @tututututuz really is (her robustness is truly outstanding)!

To be honest, the quality of this LoRA is just above average. The robustness is not great, and the stability is a bit poor (if it doesn't work out, just try a few more times or increase the weight).

I don't think it's a problem with the dataset. It's the same reason why AI has trouble drawing hands and feet well. There's no way around it! If there's no close-up image, the target is small and the resolution is low.

However, this is the best result I can achieve within my current abilities, but fortunately, the generalization is decent, and it can be used with well-known realistic, 2D, and 2.5D models.

After a painful week, I plan to regain my confidence by updating a Retro Film Camera Series. Whoever wants to go to hell can go, but not me!!!

Finally, I want to give special thanks to the model author @update on the civitai website for the inspiration they gave me when I was desperately scratching my head, and also to @tututututuz, even though she didn't directly answer my questions in the comments. T_T