Two Fashion Forces Fuse: Iris van Herpen x United Nude

UN-X-IVH-Hero IIHIH

I was both surprised and excited when I received the following press release, given that I’d blogged about both these fashion designers/companies separately and had no idea they’d ever collaborate. Luckily for me (and you) coutourier Iris van Herpen and architectural shoe company United Nude joined forces to release a collaborative pair of wild high-heeled shoes that does justice to both their talents and styles.


The press release:
United Nude, an iconic brand at the intersection between design and fashion is open-minded towards creative talent. After two successful collaborations with Dutch fashion designer Antoine Peters, United Nude and Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen joined forces to create shoes for van Herpen’s Autumn Winter 2010 collection.

The shoes were presented in her catwalk show during London fashion week and the collaboration shall soon be available as a limited edition item, only available at the world’s most exclusive retailers and at the United Nude flagship and concept stores in Amsterdam, New York, Shanghai and Vienna at a retail price of $1,295 USD (EURO 1,000)





The Iris van Herpen X United Nude product is a glamorous ankle bootie with smooth round lines and golden leather detailing on the front and back of the shoe, with three-dimensional characteristics. Transparency, reflections and movements create the effect of visual estrangement.

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.

iris van herpen UN shoe black

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”.

Iris van Herpen
United Nude