We all love Converse but, let’s face it, there’s nothing like a change.

Step up Maison Martin Margiela.

The just-unveiled Converse Maison Martin Margiela collaboration features the Chuck Taylor All Star and the Jack Purcell sneakers, each completely hand-painted in Maison Martin Margiela’s iconic white paint. And we mean completely. That new lick of paint is utterly comprehensive, covering all canvas, eyelets, laces and soles.

As Maison Martin Margiela explains, ‘The Maison has always been obsessed with white; it is used as a layer to give an incognito feeling. A sort of poetry, with the passage of time, the shoe asserts itself.’

This ‘sort of poetry’ is revealed by the wearer themselves: they get to make their own mark on the shoe with every step they take. As you wear the shoes, they naturally crack and shed their outer coat of paint to reveal the original colours beneath – heritage Converse colours including red, black and navy and a Maison Martin Margiela exclusive, vintage yellow.

These are ELLE’s kind of fashion: a work of art that you don’t have to be afraid to wear.

Converse Maison Martin Margiela sneakers are onsale from this month at Margiela stores and at select Converse First String retailers, costing £150.