Artistic upcyclist Nicole McLaughlin now has her feet in the footwear landscape due in part to her work on the Reebok Club C Geo Mid. Proving the serial creative is always hungry for more, on her plate was Diemme’s calling card. The Italian brand has given her free reins, it seems, as she completely transforms their Maggiore mule. The product is as unique, as predictably unexpected, the way only she can make it.

The bare mule is simple and functional as it’s designed to be. But simple isn’t her way of thinking, and functionality—looking at her body of work—is her forte. The foundation sees the pair in all-black from top to bottom, with decorative stitching embellished on the upper. But at the fore is a zipper track that traverses across the forefoot, its ridges forming the key to a whole new makeup.

There, to be attached, is a modular jacket of a waterproof ripstop nylon make. It’s presented in a coterie of a uniform “Olive”, “Khaki”, and “Blue”. Anchored by a toggle-lace lock system on the front panel and heel, the construction transforms the mule, holistically blending its simplicity with the utilitarian exterior. For the final flourish, the modular jacket detached, can be zipped onto itself and become a bag, one at least large enough to carry the necessities.

They’re available now for preorder on Diemme’s website and will be delivered sometime in March. They’re listed with a price tag of €349 (~US$500).

For more “anti-sneakers”, check out the Nike ISPA Universal Sandal, from the Swoosh’s avant-garde department.