U United Nude
UNITED NUDE, LAUNCHED IN 2003 IS THE CREATION AND CONCEPT OF REM D KOOLHAAS AND GALAHAD CLARK. REM, A DUTCH ARCHITECT TRAINED AT THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DELFT IN HOLLAND DESIGNED A SHOE INSPIRED BY AN ATTEMPT TO ‘GET THE GIRL BACK’, BY DOWNSIZING ARCHITECTURE TO ITS SMALLEST AND MOST VULNERABLE SCALE, THAT OF A WOMAN’S FOOT.
G
alahad, who is a seventh generation shoemaker from Somerset, England, saw the shoe and instantly realised the potential and brand opportunities. Together they created the Mobius shoe. It was an innovative product designed around the concepts of a broken heart, and nominated in 2003 for the Rotterdam Design Award. The United Nude products are all about clear concepts, elegance and innovation. They have grown into a world wide team of creative minds that is seen as a hub of interaction between architects, designers, editors, photographers and artists. The United Nude product has been so successful that it is now distributed in over 40 countries worldwide with its flagship stores based in Amsterdam, New York and Shanghai. For the spring / summer 2011 season, united nude have 5 new shoe concepts ready for release which enhance upon existing successful concepts and for the first time is launching into a men’s collection. Here are some of the highlights:
THE UNITED NUDE HAIKU, meaning a short Japanese 3 phrase poem, is like its name a few elements that meet to express emotion. The simple and straight lines together form a harmonious and beautiful shoe. (Heel height 115mm = 4_ inch + platform)
THE UNITED NUDE ABSTRACT is a dramatically high heel with a platform base. Wood blocks that form the heel are connected in a very rustic and abstract way to form a balanced composition. The result speaks for itself; it is a piece of art! (Heel height 115mm = 4_ inch + platform)
THE UNITED NUDE WEDGE is an elegant platform sandal, yet very comfortable with a soft footbed. The upper is an X strap with the straps slotting through the wedge platform. This shoe comes in both Elastic and Leather. (Heel height 87mm = 3_ inch + platform).
THE UNITED NUDE SPIKE is a shoe with the original United Nude DNA; a sandal with simple architectural lines where the heel and upper are as one. With its medium heel height (65 mm = 2_ inch) and ergonomically shaped foot-bed, this sandal is a very comfortable everyday shoe with a daring twist. THE UNITED NUDE TANGLE is one of our new elastic sandals. A stunning geometric pattern of elastic straps in a multiplicity of colours covers parts of the foot in a perfect manner. This shoe comes in three heel heights: Hi (110 mm = 4 inch + a platform), Mid (65 mm =2_ inch) and Lo (18 mm = _ inch).
UNITED NUDE HAS DESIGNED A STABLE, ORIGINAL SHOE WHICH IS SURPRISINGLY COMFORTABLE. I LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR NEXT CHALLENGE.
FLAT PACK SHOE. The flat pack shoe is a concept design based on the possibility that humans may one day live in space. The shoe is futuristic, radical and lightweight, and comes as self assembly with interchangeable parts. The shoes are customisable and the design can be changed and updated over time. CRYSTALLIZATION. United Nude have yet again collaborated with Dutch designer Iris van Herpen, for his Spring Summer 2011 Iris van Herpen x United Nude “Crystallization” collection. Two versions will be available, the first a sculptural high heeled ankle bootie, adorned with a complex weave of leather lace detailing and the second, elegantly draped with thin chains. The intricacy and precision of these creations require the shoes to be 100% handcrafted and will be limited to 100 edition pairs. There will be three different colours available: Black, Off White and Tan.