From Concept to Product

Last summer, Nils Jansons and KIWIE carried out an experimental art project at Talsi Airfield - painting the largest “PEACE” (Latvian: “Miers”) inscription in the world on the airfield’s asphalt, using 1,000 litres of paint and movement as a form of expression. The “PEACE” artwork measured 250 metres long, 20 metres wide, covering a total area of 3,000 m².

It was more than a large painting - during the process, a unique inline skate design was born, which Nils later wore at the World Championships in Rome and at the Blading Cup 2024 in the U.S. Every splash and brushstroke created during that process became part of the final design. This time it wasn’t the final look but the way the design was created that became the core of the concept.

When the ROCES team saw the result, their reaction was direct: “How can we make this real?”

That sparked the idea to turn the unique skates created at Talsi Airfield into a physical product - the “PEACE” inline skates, symbolizing peace in motion. Each pair is individually numbered and limited to 300 pairs worldwide, making them a highly collectible release.
‍

Design with Coordinates from Talsi

The new model’s details include not only aesthetic nuances - such as “PEACE” inscriptions in seven languages on the wheels - but also a historical reminder: the geographical coordinates of Talsi Airfield, the birthplace of the concept. Thus, every pair becomes part of a story that began in Latvia and continues worldwide - from Talsi to Los Angeles and beyond.
‍

World Premiere in Los Angeles

The new ROCES inline skate model had its world premiere on October 31 during Blading Cup 2025 in Los Angeles, Santa Ana - one of the most significant events in the international inline skating scene. At a meeting point of the world’s best athletes and creative minds, the Latvian duo’s idea made its international debut, symbolically merging art, sport, and peace. The skates are now available for pre-order on the official ROCES website.

“When Nils sent me the first KIWIE-designed mock-up, I immediately understood this project would be a challenge - getting the graphics to perfectly cover different skate components was something never before done in the inline-skating world. After several tests, we decided to use chromoskin - a handcrafted technique involving multiple stages that allows graphics to be applied even to irregular surfaces. The process is expensive and time-consuming, yet completely eco-friendly, using only ecological paints. The final result speaks for itself - something entirely new, unique, and handcrafted right here in Italy.”
- Cavasin Alessandro, ROCES Production Manager
‍

Nils Jansons Comment:

“It was a special experience collaborating with KIWIE - an artist who sees the world from an unusual perspective and inspires a bold approach to creativity. I’m grateful for the trust in the process and the opportunity to create something that speaks about peace, movement, and our place in the world - while offering the inline-skating industry something truly unique.
This project proves that ideas born in Latvia can carry global energy and tell the story of where we come from.”
- Nils Jansons, professional inline skater
‍

KIWIE Comment:

“It’s always a joy to witness the moment when a wild concept completes its full circle and transforms into a tangible object. What began as an experiment has become an official product now available worldwide. When designing the skates, I envisioned they would be pushed to their limits - scratched, worn, marked - and that every scuff would only make them more alive.
The design was inspired by the first pair created at Talsi Airfield in 2024. The base color, a deep grey, symbolizes the asphalt surface of the airfield, while the five colors and brush-stroke patterns directly reference last year’s model and the airfield painting itself.
Thanks to Nils and ROCES for their trust and for letting me step into a completely new world.”
- KIWIE, street artist
‍

About ROCES

ROCES is one of the world’s oldest and most respected inline skate manufacturers, founded in Italy in 1952. The brand is known for its innovative design, durability, and deep connection to street culture.
‍

About Nils Jansons

Nils Jansons is an internationally recognized Latvian inline skater, bronze medalist at the 2024 World Championships, and the first Baltic athlete to have his own ROCES “Pro Model” inline skate available worldwide. He proudly represents Latvia on the global street-sports scene.
‍

More info about the project you'll find on official Instagram profiles:
KIWIE: https://www.instagram.com/kiwie 
NILS: https://www.instagram.com/nils_jansons 
ROCES: https://www.instagram.com/roces_official

Airfield painting video on YouTube
Project case-study on Behance
Video about the whole trip in Los Angeles on Instagram
‍

Photos by Natālija Lepina

‍