converse x schuh

Commissioned by Converse and hosted by Schuh on Market Street during Manchester Pride’s August bank holiday, we delivered an open-access punch needle and charm-making workshop right in the heart of the city.

Over the course of the weekend, we taught participants how to use punch needles and yarn to create their own self-adhesive textile patches — designed to customise their Converse sneakers on the spot. Alongside this, we set up a charm-making station with beads and chains, allowing people to personalise their laces and footwear, whether newly purchased or well-loved.

The workshop was designed to be playful, expressive and open to all ages. No experience required — just curiosity and creativity.

Pride can be loud and high-energy, but we created a space that offered something slightly different: a hands-on moment of connection within the celebration. People crafted, chatted, customised and celebrated in a safe, welcoming environment that blended making with movement and self-expression.

For us, this project was about more than customisation. It was about giving people the tools to physically shape what they wear — turning everyday footwear into a personal statement.

As a queer woman-led organisation, collaborating on a Pride activation with global and national brands felt especially meaningful. It allowed us to champion textile craft within a commercial setting, while staying rooted in community, inclusivity and access.