INTRODUCING
“The Last Sneaker Before the Apocalypse”,
a limited edition high-top by Eugène Riconneaus, inspired by the contrasts of our time, his passion for the ocean and his skateboarding legacy.
Eugène is showing us again how it is possible to create beauty and poetry from marine litter.
A POETRY FOR ER SOULIER
As the boat departs the shore’s embrace,
In the ocean’s depths where secrets dwell,
We flourish, crafting more than shoes,
we set our sails.
Our tribe, architects of change, boundless grace,
Champions of a future, a dream island,
a sacred space.
Our generation, paradoxical souls in the tide,
Innovators and dreamers, we do not hide.
Seeking purpose on this voyage, guilt-free,
no disguise,
We embody sustainability
without the need for cries.
In this grand odyssey, a movement is conceived,
Turning ocean’s wonders and waste, we believe,
Into creations, pure and bright,
Like treasures retrieved.
ER SOULIER unveils Limited Edition:
“The Last Sneaker
Before the Apocalypse”
It's in this spirit that Eugène has created The Last Sneaker Before the Apocalypse,
accompanied by its own poem.
Stubborn , as someone labelled him when he moved to Paris as a penniless teenager, or relentless, like any artist with a mission, Eugène Riconneaus is about to present his latest creation to the world. But this birth is not shrouded in the typical enthusiasm of mothers-to-be. The exhaustion of a long and hard gestation prevails, with the awareness that that newborn will not come into a perfect world, in a cheerful and colourful atmosphere that we wish for all children, but in a world full of contradictions, decadent and rough that is preparing for a premature apocalypse.
The launch of ER Soulier’s new high-top follows a long period of incubation and materials research. Growing up in La Rochelle, a vein of concern for the waste polluting the ocean had always lingered in Eugène. He experiments with fishing nets, seaweed and seafood waste from Nouvelle Aquitaine to make his artworks and shoes, which recycle reclaimed leather too; giving new life to these elements. This sneaker represents the conflict between new life and apocalypse, symbolising the paradox of our time.
Challenging conventional creation methods goes beyond art and fashion, as shown in his past collaborations for example with Colette and Supreme, Larry Clark and Maripol. A short movie about his materials has been shown at the MoMA in NY. In 2023, ER Soulier first collection was pre-launched with 300 pairs and its “Merci pour vos déchets” (Thanks for your waste) manifesto.
“I never attended chemistry at school, I preferred skateboarding. Yet for the past few years I focused on creating new materials”
ER Soulier’s new releases go hand in hand with new innovations, for the brand and the environment, transforming each collection in a series of artistic creations with a purpose. ER Soulier is now launching, with its own materials, The Last Sneaker Before the Apocalypse. An exclusive high-top inspired by the 90’s and by the ocean, hand-splashed with a signature blue. This time the baggy pants will be rolled up to reveal the distinctive strap on these high-top sneakers. It’s a significant milestone in the brand’s commitment to sustainability and creative expression and it’s a testament to its dedication to convert marine litter into wearable art.
“The path to change is marked by mistakes. I have no guilt for daring to try”
Claims Eugène.
ER Soulier is set to release a limited edition of 50 signed pieces on June 15 2024, available on pre-order; followed by a series of uniquely designed drops with pioneering materials (only 50 pieces per style will be available). This coincides with the debut of Eugène’s personal online space, dedicated to showcasing his journey in the art world, with past exhibitions in cities like London, New York and Bangkok. It features photography of the Parisian skateboarding scene and artworks made from marine litter.
Oil painting by Eugène Riconneaus "Earth in Earth"
« FISHNETS TRUTH » 2022 - BANGKOK 60 X 115 X 35 CM - MARINE LITTER PIGMENT SKATEBOARD TRACES / CURVED PAINTING
Manifesto "Merci pour vos déchets" (thanks for your waste)
Fishnets
Lee Scratch Perry, World ocean week
Eugène Riconneaus Photography diary