Ndeur

For French graphist, Mathieu Missiaen, it all starts with a pair of vintage pumps. But there’s nothing dated about the final product—his custom, street-style paint-job makes for the perfect fit.
Missiaen’s brand, NDEUR (yes, it’s an anagram for ‘under’), is inspired by different patterns: from ancient civilizations, to seventeenth century paintings to urban sprawl. “I try to mix this influence with more modern treatment and composition,” he says.

His vibrant designs range from girly, candy-colored flowers and stripes to ‘don’t f* with me’ illustrations that look like they belong on an abandoned building rather than a high heel. Missiaen uses shading and intricate black outlining to give each pair a polished look, sealing the deal with a special recipe of weatherproof, oil-based paints and a varnish.

His one-of-a-kind designs aren’t limited to shoes. “I don’t want to do art street-shoes all my life. I really want to express myself in the future with all the tools possible,” Missiaen says. He recently designed a laser-engraved ‘tattoo’ for Microsoft’s new Zune digital media player. He also designed a T-shirt for Fiat and is exhibiting work at Paris Fashion Week later this month.

“I always think about what I’m going to do next and how what I do right now will help me to do something else after,” Missiaen says. Whatever the chain of events, fingers crossed he continues making fancy footwear for deserving fashionistas (and their perfectly pedicured feet).
For more visit: www.ndeur.com

TEXT BY Andrea Francis

THE SPRING ISSUE

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