CONVERSE: THINGS TO GROW

A little self-affirmation is a great habit to get into, especially if you write your thoughts down on the regular. So, to celebrate Converse’s new Things To Grow drop – which features a hidden space on the tongue for you to pen your own musings – we enlisted the help of the writers over at Aurelia. ICYDK, the Manchester-based mag champions contributors of marginalised genders and promotes the kind of stories that are often under-reported. We spoke to the team about growth, Women's History Month, their key styling hacks, and what message they’ve penned on their fresh new kicks...

Converse Chuck Taylor Lift Things to Grow platform trainers, £80

Hi Kya, how would you describe yourself?
A total bookworm, born storyteller and an extroverted introvert

What does Women's History Month mean to you?
Women's History Month is a well-deserved chance to celebrate ourselves and the work we do, show love to the amazing women we surround ourselves with and feel gratitude towards all the women who paved our way. It's always nice to see WHM being celebrated - but with what we do, we celebrate women every day of the year, which I'm so proud of.

Tell us about the outfit you’re wearing
I basically live in jeans because there's no better feeling than finding the perfect fit - I absolutely love the cut and wash of this pair. It's always raining in Manchester, so I've learned no outfit is complete without the perfect outer layer. I absolutely love this soft-touch buttery-coloured jacket.

Any styling tips or tricks you can share with us?
Strong red lip, always! Can't go wrong. Especially paired with a pair of gold hoops. Dream team.

Can you remember your first pair of Converse, and why do you think they are such an iconic sneaker?
They were purple, and I wore them TO DEATH. I was basically like a cartoon character towards the end, always wearing the same shoes. I immediately replaced them with a classic black pair, then a grey pair, then on and on... Cons are iconic because they make every outfit look great – I just love them!

What’s the message you’ve written on your Things To Grow sneaks?
‘Remain soft, my sensitivity is my power’.

Converse Chuck Taylor Ox Things to Grow trainers, £60

Tell us a little about yourself, Shahed?
Well, I own far too many pairs of dungarees, I’m the embodiment of a Scorpio, and I know the lyrics to every Taylor Swift song.

What advice would you give the next generation of women who want to pursue creative careers?
Don't be afraid to take risks! It can be a terrifying prospect to pursue creativity in a professional capacity, but it's also deeply fulfilling. My other advice would be to develop your creative pursuit alongside paid work so that you have a financial safety blanket whilst you build and grow your creative career.

WHM is a chance to celebrate inspirational women, who are you celebrating this month?
Probably a bit of a cliche, but I'm celebrating my mother because she's the most inspirational woman I know, and deserves to be celebrated every day. She's made so many sacrifices for us so that we could pursue any opportunities we wanted to in our lives, opportunities that she never had access to herself. I honestly don't know where I would be without my mum, and she's what WHM is all about for me.

Did you write something inspirational to yourself in your new sneaks?
'Sit in the uncomfortable moments'.

Can you remember your first pair of Converse and why do you think they are such a vibe?
They were a pair of white classic hi-tops that I finally managed to save up for and buy when I was 17, and I just adored them. I wore them nearly every single day, no matter what outfit I was going for, because they're just so versatile and easy. They're still my go-to comfy shoe!

Converse Chuck Taylor Things to Grow trainers, £65

Hey Amelia, how would you sum up your personality?
Karaoke queen, documentary fanatic, sun-seeker.

Women's History Month is a chance to celebrate inspirational women, who are you celebrating this month?
Personally, I celebrate my late nan, who made me everything I am! Also, my amazing aunty Alecia, the mother of all mums Sandra, and of course I adore my Aurelia sisters Kya and Shahad. I completely stan women such as Nina Simone, Ida B Wells, Shon Faye, Molly Dineen and Charity Shop Sue.

And what inspirational message did you write to yourself in your new Chucks?
'Keep seeking out projects that make you both nervous and excited. Remember you can be strong, but remember you can be soft'.

What’s the vibe of your look?
I’m wearing a grey top and a gorgeous pair of checked green trousers. Acid-green is my favourite colour to wear, so this was right up my street.

What are your styling go-tos and do you have any styling hacks?
I’m very, very short, so hemming tape is my styling essential to ensure my cropped trousers are actually cropped. I’m in a bit of a phase of tiger-bleaching every item of denim I own too, which is really satisfying.

Can you remember your first pair of Converse, and why do you think they are such an iconic sneaker?
A pair of black classic hi-tops. I wanted a pair for years and was over the moon when I finally got my hands on some. They’re essential because they elevate any possible outfit whether you’re going for a walk, heading out to town or going to work. They always look good and feel comfy.