Soul to Sole

Giuseppe Zanotti has built a shoe empire from scratch. Here, he reveals to Sabrina Loh his essential rules for achieving success

When giuseppe Zanotti was seven years old, he first laid eyes on his mother’s beautiful shoes. It was from that very moment that his passion ignited. “It was a pair of grey calf pumps. I loved the fact that they were so pointy and I noticed for the first time how women’s feet could change completely, just by wearing a pair of shoes,” he reminisced fondly. “I had a dream to design ‘wow’ shoes that will make women feel beautiful and unique.” He started his humble career designing shoes at home, on his desk, and would create prototypes with the use of leather, paper, fabric and modelling clay for heels. “It wasn’t enough for me to just draw. I wanted to see my vision, not just in my mind’s eye, but in real life.” Then in 1981, he became a freelance designer and style advisor for several luxury couture houses. Little did he know that he would one day be president of his own company that carries his name and employs around 700 staff. “I have always been focused on changing what I did not like in fashion and on exalting women’s beauty,” he explains. “I have never tried to satisfy other designer’s visions or trends.” Instead his creations fulfil every woman’s desire and wreaks of Rock and Roll attitude. The real stars are the heavily embellished pieces that demand everyone’s attention and are unapologetically glamorous.