CONVERSE INC
SC 13D, 2000-07-10
RUBBER & PLASTICS FOOTWEAR
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13D
                                 (Rule 13d-101)

                               (Amendment No. __)*

                 INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED
             PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-l(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED
                           PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-2(A)1/

                                  CONVERSE INC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                                  Common Stock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    212540108
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                          Gilbert, Segall and Young LLP
                                 430 Park Avenue
                            New York, New York 10022
                      Attention: Arthur E. Rosenberg, Esq.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
                Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                  June 30, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 130, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-l(e), 13d-l(f), check the following box |_|.

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five
copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7(b) for other
parties to whom copies are to be sent.

                         (Continued on following pages)

                               (Page 1 of 8 Pages)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

      The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).

<PAGE>

                                                                          Page 2


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1.       NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
         S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS

                           Artemis America Partnership
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.       CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A                      (a) |X|
         GROUP*                                                          (b) |_|

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.       SEC USE ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.       SOURCE OF FUNDS*

                              00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.       CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS                   |_|
         IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.       CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Number of            7.          Sole Voting Power
         Shares              ---------------------------------------------------
         Beneficially         8.          Shared Voting Power
         Owned By                               5,614,054 shares of Common Stock
         Each                ---------------------------------------------------
         Reporting            9.          Sole Dispositive Power
         Person With         ---------------------------------------------------
                              10.         Shared Dispositive Power
                                                5,614,054 shares of Common Stock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY
         EACH REPORTING PERSON

                        5,614,054 shares of Common Stock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.      CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMONG IN ROW (11)                   |_|
         EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.      PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT OF
         ROW (11)
                              32.1%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.      TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                          PN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

<PAGE>

                                                                          Page 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.       NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
         S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS

                               Artemis Finance SNC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.       CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A                      (a) |X|
         GROUP*                                                          (b) |_|

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.       SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.       SOURCE OF FUNDS*

                          00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.       CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS                   |_|
         IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.       CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         France
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Number of             7.         Sole Voting Power
         Shares               --------------------------------------------------
         Beneficially          8.         Shared Voting Power
         Owned By                               5,614,054 shares of Common Stock
         Each                 --------------------------------------------------
         Reporting             9.         Sole Dispositive Power
         Person With          --------------------------------------------------
                               10.        Shared Dispositive Power
                                                5,614,054 shares of Common Stock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.       AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY
          EACH REPORTING PERSON

                            5,614,054 shares of Common Stock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.       CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMONG IN ROW (11)                   |_|
          EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.       PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT OF
          ROW (11)
                           32.1%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.       TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                            PN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

<PAGE>

                                                                          Page 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.        NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
          S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS

                                   Artemis SA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.        CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A                     (a) |X|
          GROUP*                                                         (b) |_|

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.        SEC USE ONLY


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.        SOURCE OF FUNDS*

                           00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.        CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
          IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                      |_|

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.        CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

          France
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Number of           7.         Sole Voting Power
          Shares             ---------------------------------------------------
          Beneficially        8.         Shared Voting Power
          Owned By                             5,614,054 shares of Common Stock
          Each               ---------------------------------------------------
          Reporting           9.         Sole Dispositive Power
          Person With
                             ---------------------------------------------------
                              10.        Shared Dispositive Power
                                               5,614,054 shares of Common Stock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.       AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY
          EACH REPORTING PERSON

                        5,614,054 shares of Common Stock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.       CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMONG IN ROW (11)                   |_|
          EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.       PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT OF
          ROW (11)
                               32.1%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.       TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                            HC; CO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

<PAGE>

                                                                          Page 5


                        STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1
                                     OF THE
                          GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
                                    UNDER THE
                   SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED

Item 1.  Security and Issuer

      This Statement on Schedule 13D relates to the Common Stock, $1.00 par
value per share ("Common Stock"), of Converse Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Issuer"). The principal executive offices of the Issuer are located at One
Fordham Road, North Reading, Massachusetts 61864.

Item 2.  Identity and Background

      This Schedule 13D is being filed jointly on behalf of Artemis America
Partnership ("Artemis America"); Artemis Finance SNC ("Artemis Finance"); and
Artemis SA ("Artemis," and together with Artemis America and Artemis Finance,
the "Reporting Persons").

      Artemis America is principally engaged in making and holding investments
in U.S. commercial and industrial business. The general partners of Artemis
America are Artemis Finance and Artemis. Artemis is a holding company and
Artemis Finance is a partnership, both of which are principally engaged in
directly and indirectly making and holding investments in French and foreign
businesses. The directors of Artemis are Francois Pinault, Patricia Barbizet,
Francois-Jean Pinault, Jean-Louis de Roux, and John Ryan.

      The principal office of Artemis America is c/o RL&F Services Corporation,
One Rodney Square, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The principal office of Artemis
Finance and Artemis is 5 Boulevard de Latour Maubourg, 75007 Paris, France.

      Set forth in Appendix A attached hereto and incorporated herein by
reference are the names, business addresses, principal occupation and
citizenship of each executive officer and director of the Reporting Persons and
other entities as to which such information is required to be disclosed in
response to Item 2 and General Instruction C of Schedule 13D.

      During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons, or, to the best
of their respective knowledge, any executive officer or director of such
entities, has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic
violations or similar misdemeanors) or has been a party to a civil proceeding of
a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of
such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining
future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal
or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

<PAGE>

                                                                          Page 6


Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

      See the information set forth under "Item 4. Purpose of the Transaction."

Item 4. Purpose of the Transaction

      The filing is being made in connection with the transfer to Artemis
America, effective as of June 30, 2000, of voting rights with respect to
5,614,054 shares of Common Stock previously beneficially held by Lion Advisors,
L.P. ("Lion") in a managed account on behalf of Artemis America (the
"Transferred Shares") pursuant to a management agreement by and between Lion and
Artemis America(the "Management Agreement"). The Management Agreement expired
pursuant to its terms on June 30, 2000, effecting the transfer of beneficial
ownership of the Transferred Shares, for no additional consideration, from Lion
to Artemis America.

      The Reporting Persons currently hold the Transferred Shares for general
investment purposes; however, the Reporting Persons retain the right to change
their investment intent in the future depending upon relevant and applicable
circumstances.

      Except as set forth herein, the Reporting Persons do not have any plans or
proposals which would relate to or result in any of the transactions described
in subparagraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.

Item 5. Interest of Securities of the Issuer

      (a) Artemis America beneficially owns an aggregate of 5,614,054 shares of
Common Stock. Artemis Finance and Artemis as general partners of Artemis America
may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of the shares owned by Artemis
America. This represents approximately 32.1% of the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding.

      (b) The Reporting Persons may be deemed to have shared voting and
dispositive power with respect to 5,614,054 shares of Common Stock. See the
information set forth on Appendix A.

      (c) See the information set forth under "Item 4. Purpose of the
Transaction."

      (d) Not applicable.

      (e) Not applicable.

<PAGE>

                                                                          Page 7


Item 6.  Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect
         to the Securities of the Issuer

         None.

Item 7.  Material to be Filed as Exhibits

         None.

                                    SIGNATURE

      After reasonably inquiry and to the best of their knowledge and belief,
the undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is
true, complete and correct.

Dated: July 10, 2000


                                           ARTEMIS AMERICA PARTNERSHIP

                                           By:  Artemis SA, General Partner


                                           By:  /s/ Emmanuel Cueff
                                                ------------------
                                                Name: Emmanuel Cueff
                                                Title: General Secretary


                                           ARTEMIS FINANCE SNC

                                           By:  Artemis SA, General Partner


                                           By:  /s/ Emmanuel Cueff
                                                ------------------
                                                Name: Emmanuel Cueff
                                                Title: General Secretary


                                           ARTEMIS SA


                                           By:  /s/ Emmanuel Cueff
                                                ------------------
                                                Name: Emmanuel Cueff
                                                Title: General Secretary

<PAGE>

                                                                          Page 8


                                   APPENDIX A

      The following sets forth information with respect to the general partners,
executive officers, directors and principal shareholders of the Reporting
Persons.

      The general partners of Artemis America are Artemis Finance and Artemis.
The general partner of Artemis Finance is Artemis.

      The directors and executive officers of Artemis are Francois Pinault,
Chairman; Patricia Barbizet, Director and Chief Operating Officer; Francois-Jean
Pinault, Director; Jean Louis de Roux, Director; and John Ryan, Director. Mr.
Ryan is a U.S. citizen with a business address at 13 Avenue de Bude, Geneva,
1202 Switzerland. All of the other directors and officers listed above are
French citizens. The business address for each of the above directors and
officers, other than Mr. Ryan, is 5 Boulevard de Latour Maubourg, 75007, Paris,
France.



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