British music group Gorillaz, made up of musical director Damon Albarn and visual director Jamie Hewlett, are better known as a ‘virtual band’ of animated characters from their music videos.
The shoe styles they will be designing for Converse will reflect the four animated characters in their band: 2D (lead vocalist, keyboard, and melodica), Murdoc Niccals (bass guitar and drum machine), Noodle (guitar, keyboard, and occasional vocals) and Russel Hobbs (drums and percussion).
“We’ve been working with the shoemakers elves at Converse: the styles from our very special shoe collection combine the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star silhouette with Gorillaz legendary graphic swagger,” notes a message from ‘Russel Hobbs’ on the band’s website.
“… I couldn’t think of a better bunch of people to help celebrate our decade in the business than the good people over at the Converse shoe company. Plus I’ve been wearing my Chuck Taylor’s since forever,” the Hobbs character continued.
Gorillaz and Converse will also host a Gorillaz Sound System evening at the 100 Club in London, U.K., on Thursday, December 1 to celebrate the upcoming collaboration and Gorillaz’ 10 years in showbiz. The band will also collaborate on Converse’s ‘Three Artists. One Song’ next year.
Gorillaz will release a greatest-hits compilation dating from 2001 to 2011, The Singles Collection, on November 29. The shoe designs will be available in February, 2012.