I styled Converse’s new range of sneaker heels and wedges, here’s how it went

Maximalism at its best.

Between Sandy Liang ‘girlhood’ bow madness and the relentless rise of Y2K, fashion right now is all about nostalgia. But while some have gone digging for replicas of the graphic tees they wore as kids, one of our favourite Australian creatives, Candy Brat, still owns a lot of her former teenage wardrobe.

Growing up with a self-professed “individuality complex”, Candy has always dressed a little differently. “My family are all very creative people, so I was raised in an environment where our individual expression was encouraged,” she told Fashion Journal back in November. “I am a maximalist dresser and I would describe my style as a punk, anime, fairy [and] fashion princess.”

For more style inspiration, head to our Fashion section.

When a shoe has been around for as long as the iconic Converse, we experience the novelty of it being reinvented and reimagined time and time again – just like Candy’s wardrobe. Browsing the just-launched range of the brand’s De Luxe sneaker heels and wedges, she was one of the first people that came to mind.

With details like geometric silhouettes (hello De Luxe Squared), angular overlays, contrast stitching and extra-tall platforms, the range is the shoe we all know and love from childhood, elevated. Below, we challenged Candy to style three looks with different shoes from the Converse New Form collection.

Look one: Chuck 70 De Luxe Squared

For this look, I’m wearing three very colourful pieces: a cute cartoon baby tee, an anime skirt and rainbow tights to contrast against the black and white De Luxe High Tops. I think this look would be perfect for spending the day shopping in Harajuku, especially because these sneakers are so comfortable to walk in. I also love the sculptural toe that gives the De Luxe High Top a bit of edge.

Look two: Chuck 70 De Luxe Wedge

I love the creamy, off-white colour of the De Luxe Wedge, so I was inspired to create this neutral-toned outfit. Due to the lack of colour, I decided to play with texture instead of the frills of my skirt and my knitted sleeves. I think the unique shape of the De Luxe Wedge gives this look a futuristic feel and elevates it to a new level.

Look 3: Chuck 70 De Luxe Heel

I was inspired to experiment with a different silhouette, in the same way Converse has changed the classic High Top into this chunky heel. I chose a black bubble skirt and a cropped white shirt to connect to the black and white of the heels but with some rainbow tights for a pop of colour. The heels perfectly balance the rest of the outfit and allow me to continue to experiment with different silhouettes.