Mixtec artisans from Oaxaca transform tennis with figures of Alebrijes

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Converse launched a new collection that consists of almost 60 models, for children and adults, transform with alebrijes motifs

Oaxaca de Juárez.- The footwear brand Converse launched a new collection of the Pintando Pasos line, which consists of almost 60 models of the brand’s traditional tennis shoes, for children and adults, but intervened with alebrije motifs.

Alebrije design tennis shoes - Oaxaca | Moda étnica, Tenis, Mexico lindo

According to the project review, the history of Pintando Pasos “begins with the vision of the renowned painter, printmaker, and teacher, Juan Alcázar, of using art as a vehicle for development”.

It was in 2004 when Converse México and the group of artisans Engravers Mixtecos Unidos used the ancient art of carving in jícara and reflected it on a new canvas: Chuck Taylor sneakers.

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The group of Oaxacan artisans consisted of 14 people until 2018; currently, they express their ideas and culture in tennis pairs. On this occasion, Mixtec artisans were inspired by alebrijes, part of the culture of the state:

“We make a tribute and merge with the most fantastic and colorful figures: Los Alebrijes, resulting in a unique and unrepeatable collection,” says the description of the collection on the Pintando Pasos page.

Through the initiative, the artisans point out, it seeks to promote Mexican talent and strengthen the social fabric of the community, avoiding migration, providing them with opportunities to work and obtain a decent payment for their work.

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It is worth mentioning that for this initiative, Converse México donates the raw material for the project and allocates 100% of the sale of Pintando Pasos to artisans.

In the new collection, there are pairs of tennis whose prices range from 699 pesos, in the children’s line, and up to 3,000 pesos in adult footwear.

Pintando Pasos

The Oaxaca Post