Discovery is often closer than we think. Sometimes, adventure starts right at the corner of your street - in shifting light on a façade, in the sound of the sea carried by the wind, in a detail you had never noticed before. That’s the spirit behind this new episode of the Palladium Insiders series.
For this chapter, we collaborate with Victor from the contemporary art duo Ambroise & Victor, artists known for their monumental animal drawings and emotionally charged ink work.
Based in Marseille, Victor draws inspiration from the city’s contrasts: raw urban streets, Mediterranean light, and the wild Calanques coastline. His creative process begins with movement, walking along the beach or climbing rocks by the sea. For him, exploration is about perspective in nature, in urban landscapes, and in the overlooked details of everyday city life.
A Living City, a Moving Artist
Marseille’s dual identity concrete and coastline, directly shapes Victor’s artistic universe. Working primarily with Indian ink, he creates large-scale drawings rooted in observation, instinct, and texture.
“Adventure begins when you follow your instinct.”
Whether walking through the 8th arrondissement or along the Mediterranean shore, every detail can shift his direction. The city becomes a living ecosystem alive, multifaced and multicolored.
Moving through the landscape
Daily movement is part of the ritual. Not performance, simply presence.
On his walks, Victor wears the iconic Pampa Hi, a silhouette that has moved through cities since 1947. Its canvas and lug sole feel at home on pavement as much as on rocky paths by the sea.
Over time, dust and salt leave their trace. Like paper absorbing ink, the surface records experience. What he wears is not the focus, it becomes part of the rhythm. An extension of movement rather than a statement.
Seeing Differently
Through Ambroise & Victor’s work, Marseille becomes more than a backdrop. It reveals itself as layered and constantly shifting, a place where attention transforms the ordinary into something meaningful.
Curious. Attentive. Instinctive. That’s the spirit of Palladium Insiders, celebrating those who move through the city with awareness and creativity.
For wear Pampa like Victor
Frequently Asked Questions
How to care for your Pampa boots after a day at the beach or in the mud?
We strongly advise against machine-washing your shoes, regardless of the material, or putting them in the dryer, as this could cause discoloration, material damage, or affect the bond between the sole and the upper.
Do not use bleach or any bleach-based products to clean your shoes.
Discover our care products for each material.
What are Palladium's iconic models?
Palladium’s most iconic model is undoubtedly the Pampa Hi, launched in 1947. Originally designed to equip soldiers of the French Foreign Legion, this sturdy and versatile boot quickly became an urban staple and a symbol of exploration. Even today, it remains the brand’s most recognizable silhouette.
Alongside it, models like the Pallabase and modern variations of the Pampa (Zip, Mary-Jane, Baggy) embody the Palladium spirit: combining functionality, timeless style, and a sense of adventure.
Which model is Victor wearing in this episode?
In this Marseille feature, Victor is wearing the iconic Pampa Hi. This is our heritage model, engineered for durability and designed to handle everything from scorching city asphalt to the rocky trails of the Calanques. Its signature lugged sole provides the essential comfort needed for a full day of urban exploration.
