CON AS YOU ARE

What's the most famous image of Kurt Cobain's suicide? That long-lens shot of one of his feet poking out of a doorway, his Converse All-Star trainer looking grubby and worn. Well, now thanks to the good folk at Converse you can recreate Kurt's suicide scene in the comfort of your own home as they are bringing out a range of items inspired by the late King of Grunge.

No, it's not April Fool's Day. Someone really thought this would be a good idea. Naturally, it's all done in the finest possible taste and with the single intention of making Kurt's memory (and preferred choice of footwear) live on.

Kurt used to doodle on his shoes when he wasn't single-handedly rewriting the whole genre of rock music, so Converse have taken some of the artwork from his personal (note the word 'personal' there) and flung it over some mass-produced canvas and rubber.

"Distressed in the way Kurt Cobain wore them, the shoes display his hopes, dreams and lyrics from amazing songs such as 'Come As You Are,’" states a press release without a hint of irony or shame.

Thankfully, as guardian of his estate Courtney Love is bound to protest at the use of such blatant cashing-in on a dead man's work. Apart from the fact that each design was scrutinised and given the all clear by a Ms. Courtney Love herself. She's not as mad as she makes out, is she?