O&B x Van Gogh

Creating Distinctive Footwear from Public-Domain Art

The Brief

D2C footwear brand O&B wanted to create a limited-edition footwear collection inspired by Vincent van Gogh. While the selected artworks are in the public domain and widely accessible, the brand needed an exclusive creative treatment that would deliver a distinctive, contemporary look and feel.

ARTiSTORY's Role

ARTiSTORY transformed the public-domain artworks into exclusive design assets for O&B, developing contemporary crops, colorways, motifs, linework, placements, and supporting graphics. These assets were adapted across footwear and also the shop window displays, giving the collection a proprietary visual identity that competitors could not directly replicate.

The Collection

A six-style collection of premium ballet flats inspired by The Starry Night, Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, and A Wheatfield with Cypresses launched in Thailand in April 2025. The artworks were applied to lambskin and canvas, complemented by picture-frame buckles and embroidered storytelling details.

The Outcome

The Starry Night design was produced using individualized placements across only 20 pairs, making every pair unique and adding genuine scarcity and collectible value. The collection launched through O&B’s flagship stores and online channel.

Featured Van Gogh Masterpieces

Vincent van Gogh - Master of Post-Impressionism

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) created some of the world's most recognizable and emotionally powerful artworks. His bold use of color, dynamic brushstrokes, and deeply personal artistic vision revolutionized art and continue to inspire millions of people worldwide. Van Gogh's paintings capture raw emotion and natural beauty with an intensity that transcends time. This ballet flats collection brings Van Gogh's artistic passion to life through elegant footwear, making his masterpieces accessible through sophisticated fashion that celebrates his enduring legacy and artistic innovation.

The Starry Night (1889)

Featured on: Starry Night Ballet Flats Van Gogh's most iconic masterpiece, featuring swirling clouds and a radiant moon over a quiet village, inspires the collection's most dramatic design. The flowing brushstrokes and cosmic energy of this painting are beautifully adapted to create ballet flats that capture the wonder and movement of the night sky.

Sunflowers (1888)

Featured on: Sunflowers Ballet Flats Van Gogh's celebrated series of sunflower paintings, with their golden yellows and vibrant energy, brings warmth and joy to the collection. The rich textures and bold colors of these beloved works create ballet flats that radiate the same optimism and beauty that made these paintings timeless.

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