One-of-a-kind shoe art

We’ve already written about companies that let consumers customize their own dresses, lingerie and duvets, and now Toronto-based design firm Ndeur offers customized, hand-painted shoes. Unlike similar offerings by such companies as Nike and Converse, however, which essentially offer a limited set of choices in style and colour, Ndeur decorates vintage leather pumps and sneakers with unique designs and patterns in oil-based paint. More than 50 standard designs are available from the company, which was founded in May 2007 by Parisian artist Mathieu Missiaen; alternatively, customers can also just ask Missiaen to paint what he likes. Ndeur’s shoes are available through retailers around the world as well as Etsy, the online marketplace for handmade goods we’ve written about on several occasions. Each pair comes in its own box with a card of authenticity bearing the artist’s signature. Wholesale costs are CDN 110 plus shipping for shoes with one of Ndeur’s standard designs, or CDN 160 for an original design; if a customer supplies the shoes, the wholesale cost is CDN 100. Delivery takes three to six weeks. As we’ve said before, there’s nothing like customization to make consumers feel unique. What other wearable items can be hand-decorated for an exclusive touch…. and price? 😉 Spotted by: Ana Bucur