Niels “SHOE” Meulman makes a Calligraffiti shoe with UNITED NUDE

Dutch graffiti artist Niels “SHOE” Meulman is known for his Calligraffiti style where he combines the art of calligraphy and graffiti. In collaboration with United Nude a shoe was created in which the upper, made of laser cut leather, spells out the words “Unruly Shoe”. With a zipper in the back, an elegant floating stiletto heel and a floating platform, this select shoe stands 13 cm (5 inches) tall and is available in black, off white and neon green. The shoes come in sizes 35 to 41 and are available at some of the most exclusive retailers worldwide. Also available soon for pre-order at www.unitednude.com for 595,- EURO (750.- USD) a pair.

LAUNCH AT ART BASEL MIAMI “THE WORLD IS YOURS”

The United Nude x SHOE collaboration shoe launched on December 6th during Art Basel Miami, at the prestigious Wynwood Walls - the Mecca of street art. For the event, SHOE hand painted a 1984 Cadillac stretch limousine that remained parked at the heart of Wynwood during the shoe launch and cruised down the streets of Miami at night. Unsurprisingly, this moving work of art was the talk of the town. On the sides of the car SHOE painted his “UNUNUNUNUNUN” pattern, standing for “UNRULY”, SHOE’s Amsterdam based gallery, for SHOE’s obsession with UN-words and for “UNITED NUDE”. On the front, back and rooftop quotes were painted from the movie Scarface, that also took place in Miami.

EUROPEAN LAUNCH AT L’ECLAIREUR PARIS

Shortly after Miami, the Calligraffiti shoe launched in Europe’s most prestigious fashion and lifestyle store L’ECLAIREUR on 8 Rue Boissy d'Anglas in Paris on December 13th. SHOE painted a series of canvasses for the event, as well as his painted signature “UNUNUNUNUNUN” pattern across the shop windows. During the launch party, SHOE also signed his brand new NSM book and played his name game: he created a live painting by writing the names of people in the room.

Rem D, creative director of UNITED NUDE about the collaboration: It has been very refreshing and inspiring to work with a painter. Painting with a brush in today’s digital age is one of the few direct creative expressions there are left. To hold a brush is actually an amazing thing and immediately gives you the feeling of freedom.

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After a Masters degree in fashion design from Central Saint Martins, London in 2008, Masha Ma
started her own brand. Presenting seasonal collections at Paris Fashion Week, she has put herself on the world fashion map. Working between Paris and Shanghai, collections are made with a dedicated international team of talent creating a clearly recognizable style of her own, which can be described as modern femininity.

MASHA MA’s Spring Summer 2013 collection was presented during Paris Fashion Week in October 2012. After being introduced by Vogue China, this season her shoes are made in collaboration with United Nude. After several elaborate design sessions the design took shape. Leathers in nude and navy, chromed heels in silver and electric blue perfectly match the garment palette. Appearing on the catwalk, the shoes will be limited edition and only available at United Nude and select high-level retailers.

Rem D Koolhaas, Creative Director, United Nude: “We were invited to make a shoe for Lady Gaga’s new FAME perfume launch. Since we are fans, we thought we’d give it a try. They wanted the shoes to be as high as possible, so that’s what they got (over 12inches!). We came up with a few concepts, one of which was inspired by her own FAME campaign where she’s a naked giant and people are climbing on her. In the case of the shoes, we went for climbing gold men, and yes they are nude, United Nude.”

Since launching her label in 2007, Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen has become one of the most promising names in the fashion industry today. Known for her innovative spirit and extravagant style, van Herpen stretches the limits of creativity with her novel use of radical materials. On July 2nd she showed in Paris for the third time as an official guest of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.

For her AW12 “Hybrid Holism” couture collection the models were wearing “Thorn” shoes, the product of van Herpen’s sixth successful collaboration with architectural shoe brand United Nude.

Complementing van Herpen’s creations, the shoes combine liquid slow molded uppers and sharp-spiked stones with a whapping 19cm heel and hidden platform. The spikes, made of hand cut stones such as Labradorite, Tiger’s Eye, Leopard Jasper and Moss Agate, pierce through the upper between the platform and heel, creating a semi-precious arch of thorns that form the focal point of this ferocious bootie. “Thorn” will be produced in very limited numbers in various colors, such as glossy nude, glossy black and matt black.

Iris considers fashion as a form of self-expression. Her garments are clear artistic statements that are fused with highly detailed craftsmanship and innovative techniques that define her state of mind. Her exceptional combinations create a sculptured effect and have an astonishing visual impact. It is no surprise that Björk and Lady Gaga are part of her devoted clientele.

Rem D Koolhaas, Founder and Creative Director of United Nude said: “Creating new shoes with Iris is a greater challenge each time. The new shoes have to be better than the previous and the techniques used for making them advance. We race against the clock and fly people all over the world to get the shoes to Paris. The excitement to see her show is something we live up to a long time in advance and is one of our most proud artistic highlights of the year.”

United Nude is thrilled to announce an exhibition and Pop-Up store at Selfridges, London – the largest shoe department in the world! The opening event was held on Thursday February 23rd with a live performance by Dutch artist, Niels SHOE Meulman, whose work will remain on display until March 25th.

His work and the exclusive SHOE x United Nude one-off collaboration shoes will be for sale after the show via United Nude. Street art enthusiasts, shoe lovers and limited edition fans should make sure not to miss out.

About SHOE

Niels SHOE Meulman is a Dutch artist, born, raised and based in Amsterdam. SHOE earned his stripes in the global graffiti scene in the 80s for his pioneering style, adding a distinct approach to the discipline. Niels SHOE Meulman revolutionized the art of writing with Calligraffiti, an art form that fuses calligraphy and graffiti. His more recent painting style can be described as abstract expressionism with a calligraphic origin.