In his shoes
A legendary footwear designer spills the secrets on his Asian clientele and working with celebrities.
IN April this year, Giuseppe Zanotti turned 60.
So, how did the Italian fashion designer – famed for his luxury footwear – celebrate his birthday?
“There was no big party,” says Zanotti in an exclusive interview with Star2. “I like to sail, so I was on a boat in Portofino (Italy). Normally, I prefer to be alone on my birthdays but this time, I was joined by a longtime friend from New York and his wife. It was a quiet but meaningful celebration.”
Quiet is certainly not the word one would associate with Zanotti’s larger-than-life creations.
Known for his sculptural, jewelled heels, luxury sneakers, handbags and jewellery, Zanotti in person is amicable and down to earth.
He was recently in Singapore for the opening of his boutique in ION Orchard; the 108sq m store houses the brand’s full product offerings, which include shoes for men and women and a ready-to-wear collection.
Sporting a floppy fringe, statement glasses and a well-tailored suit, he exudes an infectious enthusiasm that makes him appear much younger than his age.
Asked for the secret to his youthful mien, Zanotti replies: “I work hard but it’s important to always take time off for friends. That keeps me youthful. For instance, last night I had drinks with friends; we shared a bottle of red wine against the beautiful skyline of Singapore.
“I am 60 but I feel like a teenager, because I have so many more things to do,” he adds.
“When you work in fashion, you’re so proud of your work after you produce one collection. But when you work on a new collection, you start all over again, from zero,” explains Zanotti. “In terms of work, I am never satisfied.”
Not surprisingly, retirement is not something he’d consider in the near future.
With a cheeky smile, he draws a coffin on a piece of paper, indicating that he’d work till his dying breath, and take a pair of high heels with him.
“When I was 45, my target (for retirement) was 60. Now, it’s postponed to 70,” he muses.
“Fashion is like a drug, you get addicted to the adrenalin. Sometimes you love the rush, sometimes you hate it. I don’t gamble in life but I’ve staked everything I have on this brand. It is like a casino, you need to take risks with every new collection.”
Asked to describe the evolution of women’s fashion over the decades, Zanotti answers: “Women are no longer slaves to a particular designer, they don’t dress head-totoe in one brand.
“I like the high-low combination – a woman can wear clothes from a high street brand and carry a designer handbag. They’re more flexible now and they inject more of their personality into their dressing.”
Of his Asian clientele, Zanotti has this to say: “Malaysian and Singaporean women have always been very elegant. I find that women in Kuala Lumpur love fashion so much, and they have super flexible mentality, whether it’s their sneakers, high heels or flats. And the men are more daring too, with shoes adorned with jewels.”
Asked for his inspiration, Zanotti replies: “It is always music. I listen to all kinds of music, from Eighties’ R&B to punk, rock and sometimes even classical music. Then, I start to write a story; every collection begins with a story I have in mind.”
His affinity for music has in turn drawn the biggest stars in the industry for collaborations. To date, Zanotti has partnered singers Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West and Zayn Malik on capsule collaborations.
From the brand’s earliest beginnings – it was founded in 1994 – Zanotti has found fans in actors and musicians.
A-listers who have worn his creations include Madonna, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Heidi Klum, Ciara, Miley Cyrus and Kim Kardashian West.
Zanotti speaks fondly of his partnership with the late Michael Jackson. In 2009, Zanotti crafted three exclusive styles for Jackson’s This Is It showcase at the O2 Arena in London.
“It was a very mutual collaboration,” says Zanotti. “But he didn’t want to meet because he was very shy. So he called me personally and requested for the boots to be more skinny.”
Upon Jackson’s death, one of the pairs was auctioned off during the amfAR gala dinner in Milan where his sister, Janet, a personal friend of Zanotti, bid on them.
In 2011, Kanye West reached out to Zanotti to design shoes for his debut fashion show in Paris.
“Kanye is super creative and super sensitive. It’s true that he can be difficult but he’s actually a shy person, and he’s a perfectionist.”
Zanotti also worked with Britney Spears for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in 2001.
As it was for the Women In Rock issue, Zanotti wanted to create a look for Spears that was “more punk”.
“I requested for her jeans, and she sent me three pairs. I incorporated chains, nails and metal elements on to the jeans, and designed a pair of high boots to complete the ensemble. She looked beautiful!”
On working with celebrities, Zanotti says he has received “impossible” orders.
“For instance, Britney requested for a pair of shoes that would melt as she performed on stage. It is stimulating to receive such challenges but I cannot meet all of them.
“Over the years, I have learnt to say no. Now I only work with people who share the same frequency, who become part of my family,” concludes Zanotti.