If you asked TV’s favourite shorn-head teenager and activist Millie Bobby Brown what it means to be a girl, she’ll sum it up in one word: powerful. If you posed the same question to the world’s first hijabi ballerina Stephanie Kurlow, the dancer would say that it is to be influential (and no, not the influence that comes with double taps on Instagram). Singapore self-defense instructor Qin Yunquan on the other hand, would define it as a warrior. But what these girls — Brown, Kurlow, and Qin, along with co-founder of Life Beyond Grades Aarika Lee, school counsellor Nisa Ngaiman and eco advocate Linda Hao — have in common are marching to their own beat; distinctive attitudes in both voice and style.
So on occasion of Converse’s recently released sneaker pack inspired by the journey and its campaign spotlighting girls with unconventional stories (like Brown, Kurlow and Qin), we in turn hear from the mavericks on our shores. Ngaiman, who advocates the importance of mental health and empowers students through counselling, Hao who is committed to a sustainable lifestyle and leads by example, and Lee — who encourages valuing an individual’s character over school achievements through the initiative Life Beyond Grades. They take the sneakers — designed by a female team at Converse — for a spin, and cast the special edition Chuck 70s kicks in their singular spotlight.
Converse Love The Progress sneaker pack
Videography Justin Chen, assisted by Nicole Quek Art Direction Andrea Sim Hair Jane Lau/Paletteinc Makeup Ziwei Yang/Paletteinc
Shop the sneaker pack at the Converse store located at Ngee Ann City, and online. Blank postcards will be available in store for customers to pen down their definition of a girl, to be part of a larger global activation that’s to be revealed. Learn more about the movement here.
