Calling out all United Nude lovers in Los Angeles! We have a big sample sale coming out for you people of the West Coast. 

You can find us at the Cooper Building  from the 25th of October till the 26th, and dive into a big selection of men's and women's  old styles.

All sizes are available and with prices starting at $50!

Details:

AW18 AMSTERDAM LAUNCH EVENT

On Wednesday the 26th of September, we opened the doors of our flagship store in Amsterdam where we invited our long-time loyal supporters and lots of new faces to join us in celebrating the launch of our new AW18 collection.

Everyone had the chance to get one on one personal styling advice from our team, on how to wear the new styles while the DJ was playing funky disco tunes and the tables were filled with small food treasures.

Our founder and Creative Director Rem D. Koolhaas was also there to celebrate with everyone and talk about the inspiration behind our new collection.

If you cannot picture the great atmosphere already, here are some snaps to help:

Oh hey, Los Angeles.

October is going to be an exciting month for United Nude in Los Angeles. From panel talks with United Nude's Founder to fashion shows with emerging designers, the month is jam-packed with all things new and innovative. We want to share these experiences with you and grow together in our new home of Los Angeles. See what's happening this month below. We hope to see you there!

United Nude's Founder and Creative Director, Rem D. Koolhaas, joins Viktoria Modesta, Abbey Tate, and Lisa Messeri for a discussion at the Los Angeles Fashion Film Festival. The panel will be lead by Holger Homann as they question if we, as a society and community, can move into "That Kind of Future" - one where art and technology combine.

Bomme Studio is taking Bomme Sport to the runway on October 7th to introduce 'Red' at Los Angeles Fashion Week. To complement the collection, Bomme Studio will be featuring shoes from United Nude's AW18 collection. Come see what happens when two powerhouses collide in one color palette.

United Nude will be sponsoring a second designer at Los Angeles Fashion Week: RS Visual Thing. Born from the beautiful mind of Radka Salcmannova, RS Visual Thing's SS19 collection transcends the traditional ideals of fashion. See how it plays out at the Peterson Automotive Museum on October 9th.

And last but not least, United Nude will be joining WORLDZ Global Summit at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center on October 17th and 18th. Hear from the worlds industry leaders and icons, network with like-minded individuals, and get an up close and personal view the enigmatic Lo Res Car.

United Nude is opening its doors to the public for the first time since putting down new roots in Los Angeles at the 2018 Frogtown Artwalk.

The event will take place on Saturday, September 22nd from 4 - 10pm at our LA head quarters: United Nude, 2910 Gilroy Street, Los Angeles CA 90039.

As a contributing artist, United Nude will feature its most notable collaborations with Zaha Hadid, Iris van Herpen, Ross Lovegrove, Ben van Berkel, Fernando Romero, and Michael Young. The Lo Res Car will also be out on display.

Wine and small bites will be served to all guests along with Craft beer, provided by the local Frogtown Brewery.

Let us know if you will be joing and RSVP below.

 We hope to see you all there!

A note from the Elysian Valley Arts Collective:

And please note that this is a car-free event meaning limited parking will be available. Visitors are encouraged to arrive by rideshare, bicycle or public transit. There will be three rideshare drop-off stations in north, south and mid-point of the event route with volunteers directing visitors.

Our 3 drop-off/pick-up zones:
1767 Blake Ave (THIS Warehouse)
2498 Crystal St
2000 Riverside Dr 

Frogtown Artwalk has partnered with LYFT this year to provide more rideshare incentives to our guests. Use LYFT to ride to or from Artwalk and receive 40% off your 2 rides, $5.00 maximum. Valid for new and existing customers. Ride must be taken to or from Frogtown Artwalk on Sept. 22nd between 3:00 pm and 11:00 pm. Use code: FROGARTWALK

Frogtown Artwalk stretches alongside the L.A. River bike path from Fletcher down to Glover Place. Visitors can travel between sites by walking, biking or catching free pedicabs along the River.

Introducting the Delta sunglasses: An eclectic design, crafted with flat gold mirrored lenses. A statement pair with contrasting shades of silver and gold, that is going to elevate your outfit. 

United Nude and Issey Miyake, created the ultimate fashion sneaker, that follows up the Rise heel, from the SS18 colection. This  new style  embodies the manifesto of shoes as architecture.

The Step is an urban contemporary fashion sneaker with a with a lightweight sole, making it not only extremely comfortable but also modern and easy to wear.

For this new collaboration, Issey Miyake and United Nude explored new materials, while utilising innovative manufacturing techniques, proving once again the synergy between the two brands. Sophisticated yet edgy.

High quality materials and the clear representation of architecture in their unique design, these styles will add excitement to your outfit, no additional effort needed.

THE BUZZ

The new Issey Miyake x United Nude collaboration is a collection of shoes that lie at the intersection of functional and fashionable design, whilst synergizing the styles of both brands.

The "Buzz" is a luxury sneaker style boot that is to be worn with attitude! It is avaialble in three autumnal colours, on the most high quality suede fabric.

THE WAVE

The craftsmanship of Issey Miyake is once again joining forces with United Nude. The 'Wave', plays with your vision and creates an optical illusion with every step. Inspired as always by the symmetry of architecture, this new collaboration is taking shoe design one step further. 

United Nude is delighted to announce the launch of its first eyewear collection for Autumn Winter 2017, in collaboration with British luxury label, Linda Farrow.

A bold expression of abstract modernist design, United Nude's 'Stealth Sunglasses' are the newest addition to the brand's signature Stealth range - a geometric collection of fashion accessories, inspired by the straight lines of the Stealth F-117 fighter plane, which comprises a series of watches, hats, backpacks, and laptop sleeves.

"For our first ever sunglasses, we wanted to make a very visible and hardcore design," - Rem D Koolhaas, Creative Director United Nude.

United Nude Stealth Sunglasses, produced together with Linda Farrow, exemplify progressive design and innovative execution, composed using hand-polished acetate and plated stainless steel. 

"We chose to work with United Nude because we liked their bold ideas for sunglasses," - Simon Jablon, President of Linda Farrow.

Balance, precision and radiant light became ever more emphatic with these statement sunglasses. Unlike the aircraft, the United Nude Stealth does not fly under the radar; it is a unique style and gets noticed immediately.

PRE-ORDER NOW

United Nude, with whom the project was started, regards shoes as architecture. Their manufacturing incorporates cutting-edge materials and techniques. The shoes created from this collaborative work put the people who will wear them at the forefront of the design process and are both fuctional and playful.

ROCK Based on the concept of "structure", these shoes are characterized by their dynamic, structured heels looking as if hewn from a rock. They are a runway style, fusing functinoality based on structural dynamics and colourful playfulness. They are available in six colours: White, black, pink, beige, yellow and green.

This project explores the potential future of creating original products based on the ISSEY MIYAKE's concept "TEN SEN MEN" (point, line and surface) and the United Nude concept of regarding shoes as architecture. Their manufacturing incorporates cutting-edge materials and techniques. Together they have created a capsule collection of conceptual footwear that captures the unique approach of the brands, both in comfort and design.

WRAP

Based on the concept of "wrapping", these shoes are designed to envelop the foot with just a single sheet of leather. This basic model has an elastic band that improves the fit, making the style simple and easy to wear. They are available in three colors: white, black, and silver, and in both flats and low heels.

ISSEY MIYAKE Designer Yoshiyuke Miyamae

I feel great joy in creating new ISSEY MIYAKE shoes with United Nude. I considered making shoes that have the functionality needed for daily comfort and which flatter a woman's foot to be the ultimate form of product design. Rem D Koolhaas' attitude towards actively incoporating new materials, technologies and constantly pursuing innovative shoe-making, resonates with ISSEY MIYAKE's perspective on clothes-making. ISSEY MIYAKE proposes its characteristic suprise and humor. The collection contains simple, beautiful products designed from the viewpoint of structural dynamics, the forte of designer and architect, Rem D Koolhaas. Together, the insatiably inquiring minds of both ISSEY MIYAKE and United Nude look toward innovative manufacturing. Through this project, both parties prompted each other to embark on the challenge of a completely new form of shoe-making. I hope to deliver shoes that everyone will be inspired to try on and which will brighten the customer’s day.

Building a car while ignoring the rules of car design is something that car designers probably wouldn’t do, but that’s what designer lifestyle brand united nude just did, leading them to win a 2016 wallpaper design award.

The United Nude Lo Res Car is part of the United Nude Lo Res Project, which started several years ago and has become an important signature of the brand. The Lo Res design method is based on the principle of re-designing the same object in a series, each time lowering the 3D resolution, resulting in a more fragmented and abstract design each step of the way. The Lo Res car shape came from lowering the 3D resolution of the iconic Lamborghini Countach, a Marcello Gandini (at Bertone) design from the early seventies. The Lo Res car is a conceptual design experiment, rather than a conventional car. Its abstract appearance makes it look like a moving sculpture.

The car is a two-seater with the passenger sitting behind the driver. The polygonal shaped polycarbonate body of the car surrounds the passengers like a transparent capsule for a unique driving experience. The interior of the car is kept minimal with the focus on some elements that are made from polished stainless steel, while the rest of the car was deliberately kept raw while finished in a matt black coating. To achieve the purest form the car has no doors, but instead the entire body of the car is the door, which opens with electric lifts. The motor is electric and the top speed is currently limited to 50km/h for safety. The car will soon arrive in Los Angeles where it will be exhibited.

In the meantime United Nude is designing and developing more cars and will continue to challenge conventional car making and the future of cars.

Digital Stealth Watch

Measuring 45mm in diameter x 13mm in thickness, the Digital Stealth Watch clean design derives from one of the biggest digital watch classics which lines recalls the United Nude’s Lo Res design principle, resulting in a very simple, elegant and recognisable timepiece. The case is made out of polished stainless steel, the glass is hardened crystal and the strap is made out of a raw cut single layer, fine Italian leather. The watch is water resistant and equipped with a United Nude custom made movement with time, day, date and backlight functions. This watch is available in 4 different colors.

Analog Stealth Watch

The Analog Stealth Watch is a contemporary play on classic 60’s and 70’s watch design. It was then when plastics became popular for lighter and more affordable timepieces. United Nude Stealth and Lo Res design has become one of the signatures of the brand. The shape of the case is designed as if sliced off, resulting in a very clear and edgy design expressing strong character.

The Analog Stealth watch is launched in nine colors, it has a hardened plastic case, crystal glass and ergonomically shaped silicone rubber strap, it is water resistant and equipped with a Japanese Miyota movement displaying both time, day and date.

The aim was to create watches with a strong character. Rem D Koolhaas, United Nude’s creative director, longtime watch collector, wanted to create a functional timeless piece expressing individual style and character far from the overwhelming rise of the smart devices.

The watches are available at selected retailers, United Nude shops and at unitednude.com

United Nude Stealth laptop sleeve is the latest addition to the stealth collection, in perfect coordination with the stealth backpacklaunched earlier this year.The unique geometric design is a real shield for your 12 inch Macbook. The press molded body is coated in matt rubber on the outside and padded on the inside to protect your laptop from any strong impact, water and dust.The sleeve fits up to 12 inch laptop. Shop the Stealth sleeve here.

The all-new ICE Shoe was launched during Vogue Fashion’s Night Out and at the Grand Opening of the United Nude Pop-Up store at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi shopping mall, the most fashionable and popular department store in Taipei, Taiwan, on 16th September 2015.

Following the storming success of United Nude’s recent creations in 3D printed footwear, balancing magically at a staggering height of 21 cm (8 Inches), the ICE Shoes were simply designed as if they were sculpted from a block of ice. Designed for printing on 3D Systems’ CubePro® desktop printer consisting of 3D printed sculptural wedges using PLA filament that gets combined with a stitched leather upper.

Rem D Koolhaas, Creative Director of United Nude: “The 3D printing technology allows us to experiment with new shapes much quicker than before, without big development costs and for very small quantities. Designing and making a unique shoe for a special occasion was never this easy before. The shoe is a real showpiece with a solid WOW factor. I have to admit I really like this immediate way of working!”

The ICE shoes will be exhibited from 16th - 28th September 2015 at the United Nude Pop-Up store at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi shopping mall, No.19, Sungkao Road, Xinyi District, where consumers can get an insight of this rapidly developing technology with a Live 3D printing installation.

NEW YORK NY SEPTEMBER 2015

Francis Bitonti Studio has teamed up with United Nude and 3D Systems for the release their collection Mutatio. The collection includes a shoe developed in collaboration with United Nude. The project is a speculation on the future of customization -- each shoe in the edition is unique generated by an algorithm developed by the designer. “It’s not so much about making something customizable. I wanted to think of a product as an algorithm,” says Francis Bitonti. Each shoe in the edition is uniquely generated by varying inputs to a computer application we developed in the studio. The same software and algorithms were used to generate an accessories collection to be manufactured by 3D Systems and released this fall. The collection mixes both new and traditional crafting techniques. The heel of the shoe is 3D Printed so that each one can be unique and plated with gold and finished with a leather upper.

ABOUT

Francis Bitonti

Designer Francis Bitonti is ushering in a new manufacturing paradigm through his blend of computational design techniques and emerging manufacturing technologies. Blurring the line between design and technology, Bitonti’s trademark process merges cutting edge digital design and manufacturing technologies, aimed to transform industrialized production systems.

Looking to the future of manufacturing, mass customization, Bitonti sees computational design methodologies and additive manufacturing processes as opportunities to create new aesthetic languages for our built environment. Francis has pioneered a number of techniques for 3D Printing cellular textiles and has made advancements in the field of multi-material printing. His vision is pointed towards a manufacturing future for the information age. The work he has done with Francis Bitonti Studio pushed additive manufacturing to it’s material limits. Applying that vision to every project his self-named design studio takes on.

Learn more at www.francisbitonti.com

3D SYSTEMS

3D Systems is pioneering 3D printing for everyone. 3DS provides the most advanced and comprehensive 3D design-to-manufacturing solutions including 3D printers, print materials and cloud sourced custom parts. Its powerful digital thread empowers professionals and consumers everywhere to bring their ideas to life in material choices including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. 3DS’ leading healthcare solutions include end-to-end simulation, training and integrated 3D planning and printing for personalized surgery and patient specific medical and dental devices. Its democratized 3D design and inspection products embody the latest perceptual, capture and touch technology. Its products and services replace and complement traditional methods with improved results and reduced time to outcomes. These solutions are used to rapidly design, create, communicate, plan, guide, prototype or produce functional parts, devices and assemblies, empowering customers to manufacture the future.

Learn more at www.3dsystems.com

UNITED NUDE - leading footwear brand, and 3D SYSTEMS - the inventor’s and leaders of 3D Printing, are joining forces for a major collaboration project + exhibition, which is to be launched at Salone del Mobile 2015 (14th - 19th of April) in Teatro Arsenale, Via C.Correnti 11 - Milan.

A select group of 5 of the worlds leading architects and designers are exploring and challenging 3D printing technology bydesigning 3D printed ladies high heels.

The Re-Inventing Shoes project is about exploring and pushing the boundaries of this rapidly developing technology by creatingshoes with the largest amount of sculptural freedom. The production method used is the highest quality of 3D printing (SelectiveLaser Sintering) in a hard Nylon and all-new soft Rubber material. UNITED NUDE have figured out a way to combine harder andsofter 3D printed parts for creating fully functioning shoes. Each shoe will be available as a up to 50 pair limited edition.

UNX2
BEN VAN BERKEL / UNSTUDIO for UNITED NUDE

With the design for UNX2, we wanted to dress the foot in such a way as to make its form partially visible, to highlight the mechanics of the foot and the visual effects that can be created by the shoe in motion.

We were particularly interested in the kinds of images the shoe could create, both when static and when in motion. When the wearer is still, the curve of the foot can be glimpsed within the shoe and the dynamics of movement are suggested by the curving vertical ribbons that envelop it.

However, once the wearer begins to move, shifting levels of transparency are created and the vertical lines create a staccato rhythm reminiscent of early stop-motion photography. The UNX2 shoe creates patterns of movement and produces a dynamic form of image-making through motion.

It was also our intention to make visible the “process” of design in the final object: the digital strategy that was employed when testing the position of the foot within the shoe. So there is a kind of literal transparency, but also a phenomenological transparency that reveals both the process of design and the processes of movement.

The vertical ribbons and the hoof-like shape of the shoe elongate the legs and create an almost animal-like extension.

BEN VAN BERKEL, born in Utrecht, the Netherlands, is the Founder and Principal Architect of UNStudio in Amsterdam and Shanghai.

Ben van Berkel studied architecture at the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam and at the Architectural Association in London, receiving the AA Diploma with Honours in 1987. UNStudio is a network of specialists in architecture, urban development and infrastructure.

Current projects include restructuring the station area of Arnhem, the design for Doha’s Intregrated Metro network in Qatar, the Raffles City mixed-use development in Hangzhou and the Singapore University of Technology and Design.

Currently he is Professor Conceptual Design at the Staedelschule in Frankfurt am Main and was recently awarded the Kenzo Tange Visiting Professor’s Chair at Harvard University Graduate.

FLAMES

ZAHAHADID for UNITED NUDE

Informed by the flickering light of fire, the Flames shoe is the most recent collaboration between Zaha Hadid and United Nude.

Flame-like bands originate from the point of the heel, rising upwards to gently embrace the foot, while the ergonomically optimized foot bed provides comfort and support.

The sculptural sensibility and experimentation of Hadid’s architectural language and United Nude’s expertise in manufacturing the most innovative designs has embodied the shoe with the essence of fire - delicate and ephemeral, yet compelling and dynamic.

ZAHA HADID, founder of Zaha Hadid Architects, was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize (considered the Nobel Prize of architecture) in 2004 and is internationally known for her built, theoretical and academic work. Each of her projects builds on over thirty years of exploration and research in the interrelated fields of urbanism, architecture and design.

Born in Baghdad, Iraq in 1950, Hadid studied mathematics at the American University of Beirut before moving to London in 1972 to attend the Architectural Association (AA) School where she was awarded the Diploma Prize in 1977. Hadid founded Zaha Hadid Architects in 1979 and completed her first building, the Vitra Fire Station, Germany in 1993.

Hadid taught at the AA School until 1987 and has since held numerous chairs and guest professorships at universities around the world including Columbia, Harvard and Yale. She is currently a professor at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna.

Working with senior office partner, Patrik Schumacher, Hadid’s interest lies in the rigorous interface between architecture, urbanism, landscape and geology as her practice integrates natural topography and human-made systems, leading to innovation with new technologies.

The MAXXI: Italian National Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome, the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympic Games, and the Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku are built manifestos of Hadid’s quest for complex, fluid space. Previous seminal buildings such as the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati and the Guangzhou Opera House in China have also been hailed as architecture that transforms our ideas of the future with new spatial concepts and dynamic, visionary forms.

Zaha Hadid Architects continues to be a global leader in pioneering research and design investigation. Collaborations with corporations that lead their industries have furthered the practice’s diversity and knowledge, whilst the application of advanced design, construction and material technologies aids the creation innovative projects where concepts of seamless spatial flow are made real.

The practice is currently working on a diversity of projects worldwide including the New National Stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the Middle East Centre at St. Antony’s College Oxford University, the Sleuk Rith Institute in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and 520 West 28th Street in New York. Zaha Hadid Architects’ portfolio also includes cultural, corporate, academic, sporting and infrastructure projects across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, in addition to national institutions such as the Central Bank of Iraq and the Grand Theatre de Rabat.

Zaha Hadid’s work of the past 30 years was the subject of critically-acclaimed exhibitions at New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in 2006, London’s Design Museum in 2007, the Palazzo della Ragione, Padua, Italy in 2009, the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 2011 and the DAC Copenhagen in 2013. Her recently completed projects include the Innovation Tower at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2014), Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul (2014), Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku (2013), Serpentine Sackler Gallery in London (2013), Library & Learning Centre in Vienna (2013), Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum in Michigan (2012), Galaxy SOHO in Beijing (2012), Pierresvives Library and Archive in Montpellier (2012), CMA CGM Head Office Tower in Marseille (2011), London Aquatics Centre (2011), Riverside Museum in Glasgow (2011), Guangzhou Opera House (2010), Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi (2010) and MAXXI Museum in Rome (2010).

Hadid’s outstanding contribution to the architectural profession continues to be acknowledged by the world’s most respected institutions including the Forbes List of the ‘World’s Most Powerful Women’ and the Japan Art Association presenting her with the ‘Praemium Imperiale’. In 2010 and 2011, her designs were awarded the Stirling Prize, one of architecture’s highest accolades, by the Royal Institute of British Architects. Other awards include UNESCO naming Hadid as an ‘Artist for Peace’, the Republic of France honouring Hadid with the ‘Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’, TIME magazine included her in their list of the ‘100 Most Influential People in the World’ and in 2012, Zaha Hadid was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

ILABO ROSS

LOVEGROVE for UNITED NUDE

The freedom afforded by the unbridled free form sculpting of advanced 3D printing is totally invigorating and emotionally stimulating; a new World of aesthetics that from the inception of the software, our studio has endeavored to be a the forefront of optimizing this potential within the field of Industrial Design for the last 15 years born out of architectural academic process and research into natural phenomenology rather than the self referential stagnating World of design.

We have entered a second renaissance that is like a spaceship moving away from an analogue Earth into a Nebula of extraordinary abstract beauty that will lift our psyche to new limits of speculation and biomimetic understanding.....closer in fact to our true instinctive view of a non linear World.

So, mindful of this moment of divergence I have sought to ground my concept on core female anatomical beauty first scanning the foot to retain the sophisticated surfaces that hard and soft physiognomy can naturally provide.

This is a fundamental principle in all of my work as form and structure is generated from genesis principles that guide and hold the concept true to its objectives.
Remaining sincere to the optimized possibility that advanced software can provide my shoe seeks to benefit from a structured underlying design process that innovates through systematic modeling and remodeling to find a point of convergence between all things considered.

I have used this project to establish a moment where physical innovation in materials density and layered matrix node structuring, are coalesced to enhance the sensuality of the female form whilst remaining clearly technological....ultimately the shoe has been truncated to extending the perception of verticality and in doing so eliminate weight and mass which for me is a symbol of decadence.

The filaments or hairs have been modeled using particle systems and attraction- repulsion logistics paralleling the bionic geometry of the foot.
The complex tridimensional polygon mesh provides what is termed a Watertight Geometry whereby nothing is extraneous either in material volume or functional characteristic.

This modeling convergence benefits from the dynamics of gravity and particle attraction hence the subconscious references to the cosmos and the greater forces of attraction and repulsion.

Ross Lovegrove

ROSS LOVEGROVE is a designer and visionary who’s work is considered to be at the very apex of stimulating a profound change in the physicality of our three dimensional world.

Inspired by the logic and beauty of nature his designs possess a trinity between technology, materials science and intelligent organic form, creating what many industrial leaders see as the new aesthetic expression for the 21st Century.
There is always embedded a deeply human and resourceful approach in his designs, which project an optimism, and innovative vitality in everything he touches from cameras to cars to trains, aviation and architecture.

Born 1958 in Cardiff, Wales.Graduated from Manchester Polytechnic with 1st Class BA Hons Industrial Design in 1980. Master of Design of Royal College of Art, London in 1983.

In the early 80’s worked as a designer for Frog Design in West Germany on projects such as Walkmans for Sony, Computers for Apple Computers, later moved to Paris as a consultant to Knoll International, becoming author of the highly successful Alessandri Office System.

Invited to join the Atelier de Nimes along with Jean Nouvel and Phillipe Stark, consulting to amongst others Cacharel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Dupont.

Returning to London in 1986 he has completed projects for amongst others Airbus Industries, Kartell, Ceccotti, Cappellini, Idee, Moroso, Luceplan, Driade, Peugeot, Apple Computers, Issey Miyake, Vitra,Motorola,Biomega, LVMH,Yamagiwa Corporation, Tag Heuer, Hackman, Alias, Herman Miller, Renault, Artemide, Japan Airlines and Toyo Ito Architects in Japan.

Winner of numerous international awards his work has been extensively published and exhibited internationally including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Guggenheim Museum NY, Axis Centre Japan, Pompidou Centre, Paris and the Design Museum, London, when in 1993 he curated the first Permanent Collection.

AMMONITE

FERNANDO ROMERO for UNITED NUDE

At the intersection of the geometry of nature, the human body, and the cosmos, the design of this shoe finds its beginning—in the geometries calculated through mystifying yet rational natural numeric sequences. It is these radial organic movements that inspire the shoe—grounded in a moment of literal connection between the human body, the earth we live on, and the universe of which we are part.

Organic geometries have been studied by some of the greatest mathematical minds since ancient Greece, and the connection between the human body and these numeric sequences can be seen throughout works of architecture, art, and design. But the human body is one of the most important organic structures and infrastructures, which we often take for granted. Our connection to nature is deeply rooted in the intricate makeup of our systems and our skeleton, empowered by our muscles to allow rotating motions that move our bodies through space.

Man simultaneously has an inherent connection to the cosmos, an environment so large we still cannot fathom its true size. Its limits are still a mystery, yet its workings are visible on all scales in our daily lives. In the cosmos it is the celestial bodies, which rotate around each other in concentric turns, creating energies that we feel even within our core.

Yet it is the availability of advanced technology today, which make possible a design such as this. Intertwined in this shoe are the old and the new, the organic and the exquisitely man-made, growing together to become simultaneously timeless and forward-looking.

This shoe uses the most cutting-edge 3D printing technology both in design and execution, but the result is a shoe that could have been an object found in nature, a delicate fossil that has been buried on the bottom of the ocean for millennia.

Architect and World Economic Forum “Global Leader of Tomorrow”FERNANDO ROMERO (Mexico City, 1971) is one of today’s most relevant international architects with several on going projects throughout the world.He worked with Rem Koolhaas from 1996 to 2000.Upon his return to Mexico, Fernando founded FR-EE / Fernando Romero EnterprisE, with offices in New York and Mexico City.

Fernando seeks to translate the contemporary moment and culture through his architecture, using state of the art materials and technologies, supported by thorough, comprehensive research, and collaboration with other disciplines.

He designed the new building for the Soumaya Museum, a groundbreaking proposal, which has transformed the perception of architecture in Latin America. It has become number 54 in the list of most visited art museums in the world.

Associated with renowned British architect Norman Foster, Fernando has been selected recently to design a new airport for Mexico City. It is estimated that the project will require an investment of 9 billion dollars and is considered to be the most important in decades. The new airport will have six lanes and finally be able to mobilize up to 120 million passengers a year.

Fernando’s strong research background has lead to the publication of several volumes, notably Translation (Actar, 2005), Hyperborder (Princeton Architectural Press, 2007) and Simplexity (Hatje-Cantz, 2010). He has won numerous awards, including the Honorary Fellowship by AIA – American Institute of Architects, the Bauhaus Award (2004/2005) and Mexican Society of Architects Award (2009). He has also been a Visiting Professor at Columbia University.

YOUNG Shoe

MICHAEL YOUNG for UNITED NUDE

Working on this project has allowed the office a unique opportunity to explore and expand within a rare dimension.

As a design office we are often working within strict parameters for client briefings so designing without boundaries on a shoe that is created to push the productions skills of United Nude and 3D Systems is rare.

Combined with our own extensive experience in 3d technology we have created what we consider a refreshing approach to the way a shoe may be can be perceived.

The process and material allowed us to create this unique lattice work that builds upwards around a heeled shoe to create a boot with the tactility of lace work that is in fact both durable and flexible at the same time.

Michael Young was born in 1966 in Sunderland, a small industrial city in the North- East of England. He graduated from Kingston University in 1992 and the following year, he founded the Michael Young Studio with the aim of providing exclusive, quality design services across an eclectic range of markets – from interiors to technology.

Michael Young quickly became one of the UK’s most sought-after young designers and revered retailers and institutions such as the Conran shop and the Pompidou Museum began demanding his work. He became known in the industry as a sophisticated minimalist acclaimed for his elegant, pared-down aesthetic design, which was in direct opposition to the elaborate style dominating London at the time.

After nearly a decade working across the UK and Iceland, Michael was enticed to Asia by his passion for pioneering technology, and in 2006 set up a studio in Hong Kong. Today Michael Young Studio is considered to be one of the most exciting and formidable design companies operating in Asia, responsible for designing award- winning icons for its clients that last a lifetime and are presented in museums globally.

Over the past 20 years Michael Young has established himself as one of the leading international figures in his field continuing to push the boundaries of experimental design. The studio specialises in creating modern design through exploring the endless possibilities Asia’s technological ingenuity provides. Propelled by the momentum created through collaboration with Chinese industrialists, the studio captures the strengthening ties between local industry and design, and exemplifies the skills of Asia’s industrial innovation.

The result is work that transcends design by harnessing some of the highest and most innovative manufacturing skills to create Industrial Art. Michael Young’s vibrant imagination and his continued ability to innovate and take a fresh approach to a seamless blending of East and West is what keeps his work relevant and increasingly in demand across all continents.

United Nude has launched their Lo Res Pump and Lo Res Lo in exclusive silver and gold chrome.

The continuing success of this contemporary design classic sees new colours and materialisations every season.

This chromed-rubber style is the most stunning thus far, as each facet of the shoe becomes a mirror. The original design concept of the Lo Res shoe, which stands for low resolution, is that of a 3-dimensional shape, resulting in a gemstone-like object.

United Nude’s Creative Director Rem D Koolhaas about the shoe: “I always wanted to launch this design in a chromed version, which before was technically impossible. As technologies evolve, suddenly some materializing geniuses figured out how to apply a flexible chromed finish for rubber-molded objects. These shoes twinkle like never before!”

The shoes are available at United Nude stores, selected retailers and at www.unitednude.com.

United Nude products are about clear design concept and innovation. The all-new United Nude geometric Stealth backpack is made with a press-molded matt rubber shell, a high-grade padded canvas body, luxurious nylon belt straps and durable padded leather detailing. The interior of the bag is divided into cleverly located pockets and compartments, of which one is extra padded and reserved for a laptop (up to 13”). All zippers are high quality YKK of which the external one is a waterproof version.

The stealth backpack is incredibly stylish and will fast become a fashionable must-have product without compromising functionality and comfort.

Shop the Stealth Backpack.

United Nude and 3D Systems teamed up for a new live 3D printing installation. The two companies combined for a major new exhibition, this time at the prestigious Level Shoe District: the largest shoe department in the largest shopping mall in the world ‘The Dubai Mall’.

The new United Nude Coral shoes were designed to be printed on the 3D Systems CubePro®: the all-new professional desktop 3D printer from 3D Systems. Inspired by sea corals, the shoe consists of a 3D printed wedge with sculptural holes through its side, a small 3D printed buckle and a textile ribbon to attach to the foot. The upper can be made with any kind of textile ribbon, in any color and in endless tying variations. This is in fact a shoe without an upper that allows the wearer to bring their own creative ideas to bear on the final product.

The Coral shoe was specially designed for Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience at Level Shoe District by Rem D Koolhaas, and his team at United Nude.

“Designing 3D printed shoes is a lot of fun! The technology offers a lot of freedom in shape, while the process from concept to the final product is much quicker than with conventional shoes. We have been at the forefront of this technology in the shoe business and we are doing more every day with it.” Rem D Koolhaas

Shoes that are made at the shoe store, or at home… Back in time, or the future? Perhaps both, you can 3D print your own shoes with your own desktop 3D printer.

August 6 saw the launch of the 3D printed United Nude ‘Float’ Shoes, which took place at the United Nude flagship store in New York City.

Joining forces with 3D Systems, United Nude enjoy pushing the boundaries of forward thinking, and combining technology and fashion.

An interactive touch screen console was utilized for the 3D printing of the shoes, which was connected to four of 3D Systems Cube 3D printers, 3D printers designed for consumers at home and ideal for in-store 3D printing.

Assembly of the shoe

Endless color options

Rem D Koolhaas: “We have been using 3D printing for the product development of our shoes ever since our first shoes, dating back to 2001. Since then we have seen a massive evolution in 3D printing.

In recent years we have made fully printed 3D printed finished shoes with Iris Van Herpen for her runway show, which were made with state of the art laser sintering 3D printing, but we never designed a fully functional 3D printed shoe that was made with an entry level desktop printer. We felt extremely challenged by the idea of developing a shoe for the 3D Systems Cube 3D Printer. In fact, this new $999.- printer is a very compact and easy to use machine, but to print something that’s actually bigger than its printable footprint needed a lot of thought and creativity.

We designed the shoe in three parts that just simply link into each other, forming the final product. The fact that the shoe is made out of three parts actually adds to the design. To make the shoe more comfortable we added a hand cut rubber outsole. Even though this shoe is wearable, I don’t think it’s to be compared with any more conventional shoes in regards to comfort, but that’s also not the point of this design. This design is about creating something beautiful & interesting and it’s about experimenting, moving forward and about learning.”

The Cube 3D printer is available on www.cubify.com

Click here to download the Float Shoes.

"I wanted to make a shoe with an invisible heel. I looked down and there it was: The Eames chair leg from the chair I was sitting on... What if the heel pretended to be not a part of the shoe but be part of the surroundings? This way the heel would be in disguise and in a way disappear...The chair became a part of the shoe by the simple gesture of remix in design."

—Rem D. Koolhaas, United Nude

Breaking into New York Fashion Week is "Killer heels: The Art of High-Heeled shoes” which opens to the public today September 10 at the Brooklyn Museum in New York, NY. Amongst the total of 178 pairs of shoes on show, United Nude is featured widely with some of its most iconic creations, from the first Mobius design to the highest platform in the exhibition, the 20 cm black bootie platform stilettos, with gold men statues worn by Lady Gaga at the launch of her perfume.

If you happen to be in New York City don’t miss the chance to see United Nude's almost UNbelievable designs, all gathered together for an exhibition on the evolution of High-Heel shoes. (The show runs through to February 2015)

United Nude collaborates with Iris Van Herpen for shoes completing her collection for its 9th consecutive time. Nevertheless this is the first time that two instead of just one design graced the runway, in the form of the Biopiracy Boot and the Biopiracy peeptoe ankle Bootie, both on staggering 7 inch tall platform cantilevered heels.

The Biopiracy collection by Iris Van Herpen emerged from astonishment of companies’ patented human genes.
As part of the show, Lawrence Malstaf created art installations, which developed the impression of models being weightless and breathless. In their half-sleep they seem bio-hacked, to slow down time and energy. Iris van Herpen and Lawrence Malstaf experiment with living objects, kinetic architecture and physical interaction through fashion in installation art.

Rem D Koolhaas: “Working with Iris Van Herpen is each time a big challenge for us as she pushes boundaries with ideas for things that have never been done before. Collaboration partners like Iris Van Herpen and Zaha Hadid give us way for our continuation in re-inventing shoes. United Nude was originally founded on this principle with our sculptural sandals just over ten years ago; breaking the rules of conventional ladies- shoe-making, not for the sake if breaking them, but simply by not knowing them.””

Catwalk Photos by M. Zoeter x Iris van Herpen

Zaha hadid and Rem d Koolhaas of United nude are delighted to announce the new limited edition haute couture shoe designed by Zaha hadid will be launched at the iconic store L’eclaireur, 40 rue de Sévigné, Paris, on July 2nd 2013.

Zaha hadid and United nude’s Creative director Rem d Koolhaas have been talking about shoes since they first met years ago. Hadid, an architect with a passion for shoes, and Rem D, the original shoe architect, agreed to collaborate on the design of a shoe with no pre-conceptions and ignore all the rules to create an entirely new form of shoe.

the result is quintessentially hadid. the revolutionary design of the NOVA shoe combines innovative materialization and ergonomic considerations with the dynamism of hadid’s unmistakable architectural language to convey an inherent sense of movement; revealing the experimentation and invention of Hadid’s process through every stage of design and construction.

“United Nude’s collections are provocative yet sensual. Rem D Koolhaas’ unrelenting experimentation at the cutting edge of fashion never fails to capture our imagination.” explains Hadid. “I have always appreciated those who dare to experiment with materials and proportions. Our collaboration with United Nude reinterprets the classic shoe typology; pushing the boundaries of what is possible without compromising integrity.”

The NOVA design incorporates intricate striations juxtaposed with dramatic realignments, establishing a direct formal relationship with the shoe’s primary structure and expressing the dynamic forces applied by every step of the wearer.

Guided by her 30 years of experience working with complex structural principles on all scale levels, Hadid has developed an innovative cantilevered system that allows the staggering 16cm (6.25 in) heel to appear completely unsupported.

The rhythmic, articulated transformation of the shoe’s composition encapsulates the seamless integration of materials, inventive engineering and highest standards of comfort. As Hadid’s most recent expression of this symbiotic association, the NOVA shoe design transcends the disciplines of fashion and architecture.

“Zaha consistently reinvents the program with her own ideas and interpretations. Her visionary creations are often unexpected, yet reinforce their origins,” says Koolhaas. “I could not resist the challenge to work with Zaha. We gave ourselves the greatest degree of experimentation and used the latest digital design and manufacturing technologies to create one of the most innovative shoes ever produced.”

United nude’s advanced shoe engineering and hadid’s remarkable design have combined in a most revolutionary shoe, for which an entirely new way of shoe making was invented. Techniques such as injection- and rotation molding, as well as hand-molded methods, such as vacuum casting, were combined. In fact, the NOVA is among the first shoes in history to employ rotation molding, which is the only molding technique that allows for such a smooth and seamless result.

The upper of the shoe combines metallic chromed vinyl rubber and is lined with the highest quality Italian kid nappa leathers. The hidden platform and heel are composed of fiberglass and the outsole is made of rubber. The shoe, in sizes 35 to 40, will come as numbered limited editions of 100 per color and will be available only at very select stores such as L’eclaireur in Paris and both the Zaha hadid design and United Nude webshops.

Nova Shoe by Zaha Hadid for United Nude

Nature is wild - generated by powerful forces it proliferates to create startling beauty.

For her fifth collection as an invited member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, Iris van Herpen focuses on the forces of nature, and examines the relationship high above the ground, while simultaneously grounding them to the floor. The shoes were inspired by the dramatic banyan tree and looked as if they were naturally grown, rather than digitally created. Stratasys, one of the world’s leaders in 3D printing, joined forces for the realization creation of these amazing and very sculptural shoes.

Rem D Koolhaas about the collaboration: “It was a great challenge to work with Iris this time as we were using 3D printing for the shoes entirely. The hardest part was the figuring out of the materials and 3D printing techniques to be used. Fashion is always a race against time and 3D printing allows you to move fast. The promise for the future of this technology is very powerful!”

Other collaborators included Jolan van der Wiel and her magnetically grown dresses. She took inspiration from the work of David Altmejd and his wild organic forms, which were also derived from the regeneration of nature.

United Nude opens a concept store on one of the trendiest shopping streets of Tel Aviv: 180 Dizengoff Street.

Dizengoff Street is known for a great mix of boutiques selling international brands such as: APC, Alexander Wang, Acne and Marc Jacobs and for its established local designers such as Josef, Alon Livne and Lulu Liam for ‘Banot’.

For the opening we threw a party with all the local movers and shakers and our Creative Director Rem D Koolhaas

TEL AVIV

Last week, 5 April 2013 we celebrated our store opening in Seoul S-Korea, the place of the ‘Gangnam Style’.
The new store with a gallery on the 2nd floor, is located in a fancy area called the ‘Beverly Hills’ of the city. Other international labels; Ralph Lauren, Hermes, Marc Jacobs, and Jimmy woo are in the area.

Rem D Koolhaas was at the store opening party with other Korean celebrities. See pictures for more

SEOUL

Continuing the collaboration for the seventh season, United Nude and Iris Van Herpen joined forces to create another shoe for her Parisian Haute Couture show. These handcrafted leather ankle booties were made for Van Herpen’s Voltage collection and will be available as a limited edition available at worlds greatest retail boutiques and United Nude stores.

Voltage

For her fourth collection presented in Paris as a guest member of the Chambre syndicale de la Haute Couture, Iris van Herpen explores the idea of electricity and the light it creates. Experimenting with its use in the field of creation, this collection seeks to portray its tangible movement and power. This ability of light and electricity to change states and bodies is reproduced using the most innovative technologies. Described as an alchemist approach to fashion, Van Herpen’s designs perpetually embrace new collaborations with artists, architects and researchers.

As part of the show there was a performance arranged by new Zealand artist Carlos Van Camp, echoing his notion of controlling high voltage electricity and its interaction with the human body. Van Camp became known for founding “The Lords of Lightning,” an innovative show that depicts two fighters exchanging real lightning with three million volts running through their bodies.

Van Herpen shares Canadian architect Philip Beesley’s fascination with materials and structures. They focus specifically on how the reaction of chemistry and electricity causes structures to respond to their environment and react as living beings.

Iris van Herpen is also know for being todays leading fashion designer in the use of 3d printing. Drawing on the idea of movement, this technical revolution is the result of collaborations with Neri Oxman Keren Oxman of the MIT Media Lab, architect Julia Koerner, and Materialise.

Iris van Herpen

Iris Van Herpen was born in 1984 in Wamel, the Netherlands. Having graduated in 2006 from the ArtEZ Institute of the Arts Arnhem, she made her name at Alexander McQueen in London before presenting her first collection in 2007 in Amsterdam. In 2011 her avant-garde designs attracted the attention of the Chambre syndicale de la Haute Couture, of which she is now a guest member. That same year, she was chosen by Björk to create the dresses worn on the cover of her album Biophilia, and her 3d printed dress was listed in TIME magazine as one of the fifty most important inventions of the year. In 2012, Iris van Herpen was honored by the Groninger Museum, with an exhibition celebrating her original work, combining meticulous craftsmanship and innovative techniques. In March 2013, Iris Van Herpen will present her first ready-to-wear collection in Paris with artist and muse Canadian musician Grimes.

Among members of the fashion world, Iris van Herpen is known for pushing the boundaries of Haute Couture. On January 23rd she showed for the second time as an official guest of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris, and once again wowed the audience.

Models stepped out in “Fang” shoes with ten sharp teeth to each foot – the product of van Herpen’s fifth successful collaboration with United Nude. The shape of the wedge is so complex that each one consists of fiberglass and carbon fiber, made in a slow molding process. It is not yet certain whether these shoes will come to market as a limited edition, as was the case with previous Iris van Herpen x United Nude designs, but it is worth keeping an eye out for them.

Iris van Herpen

Iris van Herpen’s designs demonstrate fashion as art. Her creations are clear artistic statements through which women can express their unique character. It is no surprise that Bjork and Lady Gaga are part of her devoted clientele.

Her current collection has been inspired by microscopic organisms. The garments are made with her own signature materials, fused with highly detailed craftsmanship and innovative techniques, such as 3D printing. Her style’s avant-garde spirit combines raw and technologically-produced materials, displaying her attraction to radical fabrics, such as leather, synthetic boat rigging, Plexiglas and the whalebones from children’s umbrellas. Her exceptional blends create a sculptured effect and have an astonishing visual impact.

Spring Summer 2012

The main colors of the 2012 Spring-Summer collection are light, specifically white and beige, while also dabbling in the darker areas of the spectrum, such as ray-grey, brown, copper, dark metal silver and aubergine.

Alongside United Nude, Iris van Herpen also collaborated on this collection with designer Stephen Jones, artist Bart Hess, architect Isaie Bloch and graphic designer Tara Doughans.

Frontstage Photographer: Yannis Vlamos
Backstage Photographer: Morgan O'Donovan

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.

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.

Exceptional creativity and Exceptional compatibility, United Nude makes their second collaboration shoes for Iris van Herpen’s Spring Summer 2011 ‘Crystallization’ Collection.

After appearing in Vogue with a Mario Testino created shoot staring Lara Stone and hitting the streets on the feet of celebrities Kim Kardashian, Solange Knowles and Louise Rowe, it was clear that there needed to be a follow-up to this exciting collaboration.

The Spring Summer 2011 Iris van Herpen x United Nude collection will come in 2 versions of a sculptural high-heeled platform ankle bootie: the first, a complex weave of leather lace detailing; the second, elegantly draped with thin chains. The intricacy and precision of these creations require them to be 100% hand crafted in the most luxurious of leathers. The 100 limited edition pairs will retail at $995 and will be available in Black, Off White and Tan. Like previous Autumn/Winter 2010 collaboration, sold at the worlds greatest retailers such as Browns in London, l’Eclaireur in Paris and IT in Hong Kong, these shoes will be available at the world’s most exclusive retailers as well as United Nude’s own flagship stores in New York, Amsterdam, Vienna and Shanghai.

United Nude’s Creative Director Rem D Koolhaas reflected on the collaboration by saying: “Working with Iris and being an admirer of her work has been a real pleasure. The result of our collaboration this season is truly about facilitating her captivating work in fashion. Yet in the process the shoe that we together create is a product that stands on its own and gets attention for all the right reasons.”

Catwalk photos by: Michel Zoeter
For more information on Iris van Herpen: www.irisvanherpen.com

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.”

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.

Dutch designer Mattijs van Bergen is celebrated for his curvaceous fashion and freshly feminine designs. On February 5 he closed Amsterdam Fashion week with a show at the Heineken Music Hall that stunned the media and turned into the biggest event of the week.

Named “one of the most promising young designers” (British Vogue), and “Crown prince of Dutch Fashion” (Dutch Elle), Mattijs van Bergen showed two collections that emphasized quality tailoring and detailing, one of which was designed in collaboration with clothing brand Aaiko.

The footwear for the show was especially designed by United Nude in collaboration with Mattijs. An exclusive limited edition of these Mattijs x United Nude shoes will be available from United Nude in spring 2012.

United Nude prides itself on being one of the most collaborative design companies in the fashion world today, working together with new and upcoming designers as well as world renowned names to create surprising and original looks that fuse together different talents and ideas. The collaboration with Mattijs was United Nude’s 2nd collaboration this year, with the 3rd to be launched later this month.

Rem D Koolhaas, Creative Director United Nude, said: “Mattijs and United Nude have been talking about collaborating for a while and now was the right time. Even though this is already our third collaboration with a Dutch designer this year, we went for it. Joining forces in the creative field is part of the United Nude spirit and we are proud to be perhaps one of the most collaborative brands in the industry.”

MATTIJS

Mattijs van Bergen (1980) launched his label MATTIJS in 2008. He studied for a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the Institute of Fine Arts in Arnhem, The Netherlands and followed with a Masters Degree at the Central Saint Martins College in London. His neoclassical designs are defined by a distinctive use of color, high quality fabrics and fine craftsmanship. The clothes are fashion forward, but are a constant source of elegance. Shapely tailoring and sculptural pleating define the label’s signature style, and Mattijs continues to develop his brand’s distinctive identity to the delight of his loyal following.

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.”

Founded in 1995, in memory and spirit of the 1980 civil uprising of the Gwangju Democratization Movement, the Gwangju Biennale in South Korea is Asia’s oldest Biennale of contemporary art. The Gwangju Biennale shows contemporary art under a chosen theme, alongside special guest exhibi- tions and various performances.

Korean architect Seung H-Sang and Chinese artist and architectural designer Ai Weiwei have been appointed as co-directors of the 4th Gwangju Design Biennale. Eight curators and two designers have also been appointed for six major sections of the theme-oriented exhibition, and will be held at the Biennale Exhibition Hall and throughout the metropolitan city of Gwangju from September 2nd to October 23rd 2011.

United Nude takes part in Section one titled Named Design, curated by Minsuk Cho and Anthony Fontenot. United Nude exhibits some of their iconic shoes, the Moon Life collaboration shoe and the Lo Res Lamborghini series including a full size one.

Right underneath the Eiffel Tower in 1907 there was the arrival of the rally Peking to Paris. Very last century. These days the Chinese themselves are visiting the French capital en masse. One of the most famous to recently have done so is singer and actress Juju, a favorite of Quentin Tarantino.

Once she had landed on Charles de Gaulle, photographer Sky Li was heavily drawn into Juju’s force of gravitation. Travelling light yet walking some great distances, the Chinese lady brought all the right vibes to the French capital’s favorite quartiers. The marching must be in her genes as she was born into a military family. It was her grandfather who gave her a piano at the age of three. Disciplined musical tutoring soon followed.

Juju’s career in a way would develop in the same direction as Carla Bruni’s. Fashion model and singer, both had fathers heading industrial giants. Whereas Sarkozy’s wife came from a famous Italian tire and calendar manufacturer, Juju’s father made it big in a softer and tastier compound: ice cream. Whilst still studying in the USA she became a VJ for MTV’s Sound of Nature. Recently Juju released her first jazz album Delicious.

After enjoying the beauty of Le Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre it was however straight back to work for Juju. Colleagues? Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant and Tom Hanks, top cast in the new science fiction blockbuster Cloud Atlas. Recording would start the next day in the rather more stern capital of Germany. First Juju takes Île de la Cité then Juju takes Berlin.

Photography by Dr. Sky Li
PR Manager Asia at United Nud

The Lo Res chair is inspired by the most famous Verner Panton chair, which was re-designed through the semi-automatic Lo Res design process developed by United Nude. The Lo Res Chair will be made available at United Nude stores worldwide, at selected top furniture dealers and here at our online store.

The chair comes in plain colors, in carbon fiber gloss and matt finishes and can be custom finished as per request. Each chair is a uniquely hand moulded and hand finished fibre-composite construction, forming a light and solid object. Retail prices start from $1650,- a chair.

On September 27th, United Nude opened its new concept store in Vienna. The new store, located in Vienna’s hottest shopping district boasts a generous range of celebrated United Nude products, including the unique footwear collections for both women and men and United Nude accessories such as the Stealth hat.

Reflecting United Nude’s flare for innovation, the store is a hallmark to the brand’s conceptual approach. The entire store encased in darkness where the products alone are highlighted in the exclusive computer controlled Wall of Light TM installation, presenting each shoe as a work of art encapsulated in its own geometric frame, while mirrored walls create the sensation of vastness and grandeur.

United Nude takes every detail seriously, from designing our products with cutting edge materials and technologies to their final presentation; enhancing the customer’s experience.

United Nude’s Creative Director Rem D said of the new Vienna concept store: “This store is actually the celebration of our success in Vienna, as we’ve simply moved a few doors down from where we had a store for nearly 3 years. The new location is much bigger then the previous and the shop in- terior now includes the Wall of Light for the complete theatrical United Nude shopping experience.”

VIENNA

'One of the most advanced collaborations in fashion today'

Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen was the talk of the town during the Paris fashion week this summer. She conceptually pushed the envelope furthest with her ‘Capriole’ collection, while sticking to an unsurpassed level of craftsmanship. She also became an official guest member to the ‘Cham- bre Syndicale de la Haute Couture’, one of the greatest honors any fashion designer can possibly aspire to, certainly at age 27. Among its official members are Chanel, Dior, Givenchy and Gaultier.

All new footwear for Iris van Herpen’s show was again created in collaboration with United Nude. The designs were so intensely conceptual, that production was limited to the four catwalk pairs only. The curved heels took shape with computer aided design and were then by way of rapid prototyping printed in 3D and laminated with carbon fiber for strength. The upper material for the shoes, also used in some of Van Herpen’s dresses, was exclusively developed by Bart Hess.

Photographyby: Michel Zoeter

Spanish performance artist Alicia Framis initiated the “Moon Life” project, which is about space travel and the speculation of future living in space. She invited a select group of artists, architects and designers to create futuristic, radical and even political but humane concepts for the lunar environment. United Nude was invited to design a shoe. Other than the shoe being suitable for outer space, the brief was left open.

By choosing to create a piece for indoor use, United Nude, was able to craft a high-heeled shoe both elegant and sexy while not be limited by the extreme conditions of space such as temperature and pressure. Additionally, United Nude’s goal was to create a shoe that can also function in a gravity rich environment.

The further the journey, the more it will cost to transport by weight and volume. Therefore United Nude formulated their own criteria for their Moon Life Shoe: to create something as light and compact as possible while remaining fashionable. The outcome is the United Nude Flat Pack shoe: A shoe that customers can assemble themselves, while the uppers of the shoes are interchangeable and suitable for customizing.

he base of the shoe is built from flat carbon fiber pieces, molded foot-bed pieces and 3-dimensional sole pieces that simply slot into each other. These parts are all adjoined by a thin wire span on the sides. The upper of the shoe is a lace with 2 leather pieces. The assembly takes no longer than 10 minutes for each shoe.

The United Nude Stealth Hat is inspired by the straight lines of the Stealth F-117 fighter plane.

Unlike the aircraft, the hat does not fly under the radar; it gets noticed immediately for its remarkable and unique design.
The Stealth Hat style continues and is now, besides the wool felt, also available in a paper straw version. It come in sizes S= 52cm / 20.5”M= 54cm / 21.3”L= 56cm / 22”XL= 58cm / 22.8” and is available in six colourways. The Stealth Hats are available at the United Nude flagship stores in Amsterdam and New York, and online.

The Stealth Hat is suitable for both men and women

Reflecting United Nude’s flare for innovation, the store is a hallmark to the brand’s conceptual approach. The entire store encased in darkness where the products alone are highlighted in the exclusive computer controlled Wall of Light TM installation, presenting each shoe as a work of art encapsulated in its own geometric frame, while mirrored walls create the sensation of vastness and grandeur.

United Nude takes every detail seriously, from designing our products with cutting edge materials and technologies to their final presentation; enhancing the customer’s experience.

United Nude’s Creative Director Rem D said of the new Vienna concept store: “This store is actually the celebration of our success in Vienna, as we’ve simply moved a few doors down from where we had a store for nearly 3 years. The new location is much bigger then the previous and the shop interior now includes the Wall of Light for the complete theatrical United Nude shopping experience.

LONDON 

Iris van Herpen Escapism Couture – Spring/Summer 2011

There was no better place for young Dutch designer Iris van Herpen to show her exceptional "Escapism Couture" collection than in Paris fashion week. Her signature 3D printed collection excited some critics so much that she was even compared to elite couture designer Alexander McQueen (Fashionista).

Accompanying her futuristic and metallic designs, models walked down the catwalk wearing Iris van Herpen x United Nude shoes. This was United Nude's third consecutive collaboration with Iris van Herpen, designed exclusively for the show and produced in a limited edition of only 12 pairs.
Inspired by the notion of modern society's addiction to technological entertainment of all sorts and types, Iris van Herpen added her own twist to the idea of escapism, creating forms, patterns and combinations that celebrate the excess inherent to the digital world.

The Escapism Couture collection revels in extremes, mixing old and forgotten techniques with the newest technologies, creating a delectable fusion of the ancient past with the distant future.

Rem D. Koolhaas, Founder and Creative Director United Nude, said “Escapism is about constantly escaping reality with digital entertainment, something that nowadays is a big part of everyone’s world. We loved that our company could be a part of creating something so beautiful and feel that the collection is stunning."

Iris van Herpen also collaborated on her collection with artist Bart Hess, architect Daniel Wildrig and the label .MGX by Materialise.

Photographyby: Michel Zoeter

United Nude, a brand founded by architect Rem D Koolhaas and Galahad JD Clark has capped off a stellar and eventful 2010 with a pop-up store opening in Miami. The year included the opening of flagship stores in New York and Shanghai, a retail store in Nicosia (Cyprus) and the brand’s second retail store in Guangzhou (China). The Miami store marks the brand’s fifth store opening in 2010. 

The Miami pop-up store, opened in time for Miami’s Art Week, a week in the beginning of December with key art and design shows in the Miami area including the much heralded Art Basel Miami. The pop-up store, located in the Miami Design District at 161 NE 40th Street is prominently located next door to Christian Loboutin and Kartell’s only Florida locations. The Miami Design District, a real estate development is the preeminent design and fashion address in Miami and its creation is the product of visionary art collector and real estate developer Craig Robins and his Dacra Development Corporation. Other notable Miami Design District residents include Martin Margiella, Marni, Y3 and premiere Miami restaurants including Michelle Bernstein’s Sra. Martinez and Michael Schwartz’s self-titled restaurant. 

The team from United Nude arrived in Miami on Thanksgiving day and quickly transformed the 4,500 square foot space in less than three days into an art-gallery/shoe-store in which United Nude featured shoes from their recent collection as well as photography from up-and-coming Chinese photographers in an exhibition entitled 5PRCITY. During a busy Art Basel week, the United Nude Miami store/gallery was extremely successful with a high level of exposure to many people who experienced the brand for the first time. Sales at the store during the launch week averaged over two pairs purchased per visitor. 

The 5PRCITY photo project was initiated by United Nude. The theme ‘’Women & City-life” in China’s five major cities: Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Chengdu. Together, this work forms a time-capsule of the China of today. Four of the eight photographers whose work is captured in the first edition 5PRCITY book are featured in this exhibition with and limited edition signed artworks are available for purchase with prices ranging from $800 to $3,500 a print. The four featured artists are: 223, Qiu, Quist and Yiki Liu. 

The United Nude Miami pop-up store is scheduled to run into early 2011 with plans for a possible permanent installation being discussed that would include a rotating art-exhibit in the space as well as a retail store featuring the brand’s products which include architectural footwear and accessories.

United Nude originates from collaboration: A Dutch architect and an English shoemaker started a brand and shook up the world. In the process of their partnership they have worked with editors and writers on magazine concepts, with industrial designers on furniture and car design, with fashion designers, with other brands, with photographers, manufacturers, and curators: collaboration continues to be at the heart and soul of United Nude’s existence. 

Being well connected within China’s creative industries, the 5PRCITY photo project was initiated by United Nude with a selection of China’s leading photographers. 

The simple theme “Women and the City” in China’s 5 main cities. 

Yiki Liu (Shanghai), Pingshen (Shanghai), 223 (Beijing), Song Liu (Beijing), Qiu (Guangzhou), GT (Guangzhou), Quist (Hong Kong) and Baichuan (Chengdu). 

Together, the work from these artists forms a time-capsule of the China of today. 

The 5PRCITY project will premiere at a VIP reception held on Saturday, August 7, 2010 from 4pm to 6pm at the 1918 Art Space Gallery in Shanghai and will exhibit from 10:30am to 6:30pm from August 6th – 12th. 

The exhibition is accompanied by a 5PRCITY limited edition book (500 copies only) and shall travel to other notable art galleries around the world after its debut in Shanghai.

The store is located in the prestigious city center address of Prevezis 11. At the store, United Nude presents their concept, theWall of Light™ as a key concept in a ‘dark-shop’ featuring architectural and conceptual footwear.

The Store Concept

From injection moulded shoes to high-end carbon fiber heels, United Nude is a brand founded on conceptual design, eleganceand innovation. The characteristics of the brands products and DNA are also evident in the interior design of the flagship store,designed by brand Creative Director and architect Rem D Koolhaas. The store is a “dark-shop” concept which means the store is completely dark in all areas other than those where the products are showcased and literally highlighted. The most important and prominent element of the store design is the Wall of Light™, a computer-controlled LED wall which displays the United Nude products as a work of art encapsulated in geometric frames.

At the store opening in Nicosia, United Nude’s Creative Director Rem D Koolhaas reflected on the opening of the store by saying: “After several strong seasons selling throughout Greece and Cyprus and the wonderful reception that United Nude shoes has received from celebrities, press and tastemakers in these countries it was clear that there was a good opportunity to expand the brand’s presence and the best way to do this is by opening a retail store. The location in the city centre of Nicosia, the capital city of Cyprus was so great we just jumped on it and I’m really proud of the result and the team that has put this store together.”

Open six days a week, the United Nude store is adjacent to Stasikratous Street, the most prominent street in the whole of Cyprus and located next to luxury and fashion brands such as Dolce & Gabanna, Louis Vuitton and Versace.

Up next for United Nude is an art-gallery/retail store located in the Miami Design District as part of Art Basel Miami. Further flagship stores for United Nude are anticipated to open in London and Paris in 2011.

For Autumn/Winter 2009-2010 United Nude made a series of boots for up-and-coming Dutch fashion designer Antoine Peters. The Sharpei boots are decorated with Antoine's striking arrow prints.

For more information on Antoine Peters please visit www.antoinepeters.com

The United Nude Lo-Res design method can be used to create design from scratch or based on existing design. The Lo-Res Car originates from lowering the 3D resolution of a Lamborghini Countach. A real drivable Lo-Res car is in the making. For this project stay tuned via our website and social media.

“The Lo-Res design method
is a great way to celebrate and
recycle existing design.”

The United Nude Lo-Res Pump and Lo-Res Lo (a Ballet flat), belong to our classics. Made from soft moulded rubber with leather detailing these iconic shoes are both durable and comfortable.

United Nude, a brand founded by architect Rem D Koolhaas and seventh generation shoemaker Galahad Clark open a flagship store at 817 Huaihai Road in Shanghai. Located in the French Concession across from the Alfred Dunhill Gallery and prestige brands Rolex and Piaget, Huaihai Road has become ‘THE’ place for international brand establishment in Shanghai.

The Store Concept 
From injection molded shoes to high-end carbon fiber heels, United Nude is a brand founded on conceptual design, elegance and innovation. The characteristics of the brand’s products and DNA are evident in the design of the Shanghai flagship store designed by Creative Director and architect Rem D Koolhaas. The store is a “dark-shop” concept which means that the store is completely dark in all areas other than those where the products are showcased and literally highlighted. 

The in-store concept features The Wall of Light™ - a computer controlled LED wall displaying United Nude products as works of art encapsulated in geometric frames. Another important design feature is a small goods elevator that leads to a stock room above the main floor. The combination of these features creates for the customer a theatrical and entertaining shopping experience. 

At the store opening Rem D said: “In Amsterdam we introduced the flagship concept of the Wall of Light, in New York we featured a Lo Res Lamborghini Countach and here in Shanghai we created a shop as a robot, where shoes move around mechanically. Each shop space simply asks for, or perhaps even dictates its own customized solution.”

Up next for United Nude is a photography exhibit in Shanghai this summer in tandem with the World Expo. In 2011 the brand is looking into opening flagship stores in London, Tokyo and Moscow.

The construction of the shoe is so complicated and precise that each pair is 100% hand-made with the highest grade Italian kid leather available. Therefore, the production of this unique product has been kept to the very low number of 240 limited edition pairs worldwide of which 168 are in black with gold and 72 in ivory with gold.

United Nude’s Creative Director Rem D Koolhaas reflected on the collaboration by saying: “I was introduced to Iris after I had admired her work. I offered to make shoes for her, as I know that for fashion designers shoes always come as an afterthought and most fashion designers don’t have the resources to get it all done on time. I think the result of our work together is that of a pure and successful collaboration as her identity and our expertise and craftsmanship are joined in this marvelous product”.

For more information on Iris van Herpen:www.irisvanherpen.com

UNITED NUDE OPENS FIRST NORTH AMERICAN FLAGSHIP STORE AT 25 BOND STREET IN NEW YORK 

 United Nude, a brand founded by architect Rem D Koolhaas and seventh generation shoemaker Galahad Clark open a flagship store at 25 Bond Street on Thursday, May 20th in New York. Located on the chic Noho street across from Ian Schrager’s Herzog & de Meuron designed 40 Bond Street residence as well as uber-trendy fashion store Oak and a short walk from the new Bowery Hotel and the New Museum, the United Nude brand is firmly placed on the Manhattan landscape. 

The Store Concept

From injection molded shoes to high-end carbon fiber heels, United Nude is a brand founded on conceptual design, elegance and innovation. The characteristics of the brand’s products and DNA are evident in the design of the New York flagship store designed by Creative Director and architect Rem D Koolhaas. The store is a “dark-shop” concept which means that the store is completely dark in all areas other than those where the products are showcased and literally highlighted. Two other important elements are featured in the store: the first, The Wall of Light™ - a computer controlled LED wall displaying United Nude products as works of art encapsulated in geometric frames. The second is a Lo Res car, an art sculpture designed as part of United Nude’s Lo Res Project.

The Lo Res Project 

The United Nude Lo Res Project is a design method developed by United Nude to re-generate objects and make existing objects even more beautiful by envisioning them with 3D software in a lower resolution. The first such product was the United Nude Lo Res shoe made from moulded rubber with leather detailing and the next incarnation available to see at the New York flagship store is the United Nude Lo Res car. The Lo Res car was made by scanning a Lamborghini Countach into a 3D scanner and lowering the resolution of the scan to an entire series of different abstractions to choose from. One of the versions was chosen, altered and then produced. The Lo Res car, a United Nude art piece proudly sits at the front end of the United Nude New York flagship store.  

At the store opening in New York, Creative Director Rem D Koolhaas reflected on the completed flagship and said: “After successfully opening flagship stores in Amsterdam and Shanghai, New York was the next logical step. The brand has been growing strongly in Asia and Europe, but we needed to press the reset button in America and show off the United Nude brand in the coolest possible way. The reason behind opening theatrical stores is for people to fully understand the brand and get the total United Nude experience.”

New York Flagship Store
25 Bond Street, New York, NY 10012 
T +1 (212) 420-6000

A new milestone for the architetural shoe brandUnited Nude, a brand founded by architect Rem D Koolhaas and Galahad JD Clark opens a flagship store in Amsterdam on October 22, 2009. Located in the prestigious city center address of Spuistraat 125, United Nude presents their concept, the Wall of Light™. United Nude is distributed in over 300 points of sale worldwide in over 30 territories. Up next for the brand in early 2010, are flagship stores in Shanghai and New York

From injection moulded shoes to high-end carbon fiber heels, United Nude is a brand founded on conceptual design, elegance and innovation. The characteristics of the brands products and DNA are also evident in the interior design of the flagship store, designed by brand Creative Director and architect Rem D Koolhaas. The store is a “dark-shop” concept which means the store is completely dark in all areas other than those where the products are showcased and literally highlighted. The most important and prominent element of the store design is the Wall of Light™, a computer-controlled LED wall which displays the United Nude products as a work of art encapsulated in geometric frames. 

 At the store opening in his hometown of Amsterdam, Creative Director Rem D Koolhaas reflected on the completion of the store design by saying “This opening is one of the proudest moments of United Nude this far. It completes the representation of the brand..”

AMSTERDAM

The United Nude Fold is, like the physical concept of the Möbius, about the fluent movement of a single strip of material. The strip folds around the foot front-to-back-to-front like a scarf. The success of this shoe is due to the perfect combination of style and comfort. The uppers are made with custom designed elastics and the shoes are lined with luxurious high-quality leather

The United Nude Eamz is conceptually inspired by a furniture design classic - the Charles and Ray Eames chair. The Eamz shoes are not designed by the Eames duo, but are an ode to them and their vision. The Eamz heel lifts the wearer 9 centimetres off the ground and is constructed from very light-weight steel. On the foot the Eamz feels sturdy creating a walk that is comfortable, sexy and eye-catching

The United Nude Möbius is the original launch product that revolutionised the traditional notions of heel construction and has become an icon on the world of design. The concept for the shoe was created by transforming the frame of Mies van de Rohe's Barcelona chair into a single band uniting the upper, sole, foot-bed and heel into one infinite piece