GUISEPPE ZANOTTI | ITALIAN SHOE GURU

“I’m like a psychologist, I can discover the panther inside a woman and then, boosh! I can give her power!” –Giuseppe Zanotti

Now let's face it, a designer pair of heels is the way to every girls heart, but what is it that's got us girls going about Guiseppe Zanotti's shoes?

For those of you who don't know (which by the way, why don't you?) Guiseppe Zanotti is an Italian shoe designer. Born in a town full of shoe companies he was bound to have it in his blood, however, he soon decided that they just weren't good enough. So, he set about changing things, freelancing as a designer for fashion houses such as Dior, Thierry Mugler, Valentino and Roberto Cavalli for 12 years before finally striking out with his first collection in New York in 1994.

Zanotti's shoes are without a doubt special. They have a way of making women feel confident and powerful. "High heels are like a beauty lift. In a flat you can feel beautiful, but a stiletto changes your mood, how you move—like a wild, beautiful animal."

His shoes are by far the go-to for most celebrity's such as Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Alicia Keys which as predicted has got the rest of the female population wanting a pair.

Zanotti has also collaborated with hip-hop fashionista Kanye West. Over a dinner, the 'Cruel Summer' sandal was born, featuring beautiful gold and crystal feather detailing. The two have now collaborated multiple times, not forgetting the infamous pair they collaborated on for West's first Paris runway show, which retailed just shy of $6,000.

Although Zanotti's shoes may look like dazzling beauties he is a very wise businessman who ensured he was number one at his craft before venturing out on his own.

"The technical part of designing shoes is 85 per cent," he says, "If you do not understand the technical side of shoes, you can't do it. You have to understand your vocabulary first, then you need to work with a factory to understand all the secrets, and then, if you're lucky and you have passion, you can start your own story."

Now, Zanotti stands proud having opened 67 stores across the world as well as sitting comfortably in the 'big three' of footwear alongside Christian Louboutin and Blahnik. He has been nominated for ‘Designer of the Year’ three times by Fairchild and won the ‘Prix d'Excellence de la Mode’ for best footwear collection by Marie Claire International in 2010.

#guiseppezanotti #luxuryshoes #elegant #expensive