Aotearoa creative Alli Tran is proudly taking part in Converse’s Pride campaign for 2022, which aims to shine a light on ‘found families’: chosen communities which LGBTIA+ individuals connect with through shared experiences and perspectives.
We got up close and personal with Tran to discover what being a part of the Pride community means to them, their found family, and their journey to self-acceptance.
Who are you, and what makes you happy? What are your pronouns?
My name is Allister Tran, but everyone calls me Alli. I identify as a non-binary queer individual (he/ they), born and raised in good old Wellington. I’m currently based in Tāmaki Makaurau.
I’m a multidisciplinary designer and creative, and I’ve recently completed my master’s in UX/UI Design. I love to create visual content in my spare time. One day I could be taking my film cameras out to capture the golden hour light. The next day, I could be designing a 3D art piece on Blender.
I love to express myself through creative mediums and my style. It’s how I show the world who I am.
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride to me is the ability to express who you are authentically. Purely existing in our queerness is activism. Living as your authentic self will shift and change the culture for the better. Pride is the realisation that we belong in this world and that the world needs us.
You’re a member of Converse’s All Star Community. Tell us more.
I’ve been a part of this global community since 2019! It has been such a magnificent time creating alongside amazing, talented people. My fondest memory is when I travelled to Los Angeles to shoot my first global campaign. It was so surreal and opened my eyes to the world outside of New Zealand. That trip made it clear that anything is possible!
Being a part of this community has allowed me to connect to so many talented humans across the globe. There’s such a natural camaraderie between us all. I’ve had such beautiful opportunities to create and collaborate for Converse on many great projects. For a Trans Awareness week project, I expressed what it means to be a queer ally among the community through my work as a 3D artist. Or a project where I came up with design concepts for a Mardis Gras shoe.
For Pride 2022, Converse is shining a light on Found Families. Who is your Found Family?
I met my found family naturally and organically through mutual friends, slowly integrating individuals from all parts of my life together. I am a huge believer in energy: you attract the energy you put out there.
The Converse Pride shoot for 2022 features a small portion of my found family, Abi, Hayley, Dalje and Tasmin. These individuals are truly my soulmates, my people who love me unconditionally. We’ve all come together because we can all be our authentic selves.
Tell us more about the Converse Pride shoot with your found family.
When Converse announced to the All Stars members that the next pride campaign would be themed around Found Families, I knew I had to get on board. I’ve always wanted to do something to highlight members of my chosen family.
The shoot took place in Tāmaki Makaurau, shot and filmed by the amazing Chris Antonio and Luke Park of ACMPNY. I’ve always wanted to work with these amazing individuals. It was such a fun day for us all.
The Converse Pride campaign is centred around six All Stars and their family members around the world. As this was shot during the pandemic, you get an authentic view of each found family, their safe spaces and family dynamics.
Do you have any advice for members of the LGBTQIA+ community who are on a journey to self-love and self-acceptance?
We have grown up in a society that was not systematically created for us. Therefore we have had to change ourselves to survive, fit in, and be seen.
I have spent my twenties unpacking, unlearning, and evolving from all the behaviours and mindsets forced onto us as queer people to live in this world.
I want younger LGBTQIA+ individuals to know that it is fine and okay to be where they are. I used to believe I was so behind on ‘life’ and was insecure about where I was in my self-acceptance journey.
I’ve found solace in realising that I’m on a non-linear journey, constantly growing, evolving, learning, and unlearning.
It’s okay to have your adolescence later in life when you can do so safely. Only then you will be able to heal and develop into the person you’re meant to be authentically. As cheesy and cliche as it sounds, it does get better.
How long have you been wearing Chucks?
I’m pretty sure I’ve had a pair of Chucks since I was sentient enough to dress myself. I find them easy to throw on with any outfit for a casual or effortless look.
I wear my Converse Golf Le Fleur X Gianno sneakers all the time with baggy trousers. I also love the Chuck 70s. They’re so comfortable.
What’s your favourite shoe from the Converse Pride 2022 collection?
The Run Star Motion Platforms, they’re just so sick! I style them with loose trousers or baggy jeans with a mini crop tee.
