CATHERINE ZETA-JONES
CATHERINE ZETA-JONES TALKS ABOUT TURNING 50 AND HER VERY FIRST STEP INTO SHOE DESIGNING
Oscar-winning actress and fashion maven Catherine Zeta-jones CBE turned 50 last year, but that milestone birthday certainly didn’t hold her back.
In fact, Catherine – who shares son Dylan, 19, and daughter Carys,
17, with actor Michael Douglas – says she feels “better and happier” now than she ever has.
Not only has the Welsh-born actress conquered Hollywood, she has also earned herself entrepreneurial status by launching her very own lifestyle label, Casa Zeta-jones.
The brand sells everything from beauty to home decor – and now shoes thanks to her latest collaboration with British vegan brand Butterfly Twists. Launching this month, the flats have been designed with comfort, style and attainability in mind.
The Chicago star wanted to produce a range that was bold, yet made for everyday wear, and we think she’s nailed it! If you’ve become accustomed to your flats during lockdown and are not quite ready to pop your heels back on, this fashion marriage might be right up your street.
Here, Catherine gives us some insight into her new venture and talks about bucket lists and important life lessons...
Congratulations on the brand. Why was footwear something you wanted to explore?
I’ve always had a passion for fashion. I learned to sew from my nana and my mam and was always designing and creating something new. Shoes are a natural extension of that, and something I’ve always wanted to design. Everything I have designed has truly been a passion project. I wanted to take this passion a step further and create a brand that’s really beautiful and luxurious, while still being attainable
What was it about Butterfly Twists as a brand and footwear style that appealed to you?
I love their brand and knew I could collaborate with them on something really fresh and different. They are global, virtually in every country and that was also important to me, so Casa Zetajones could have a far and expansive reach to women everywhere. I hope women will find that these are their go-to shoes. They are really comfortable but have style and are unique. These are shoes you can wear to the store and out to dinner. They are versatile and classic all at the same time.
Are you a huge fan of having lots of beautiful shoes?
Am I a fan of footwear? Ask my husband [laughs] – he’s always asking how many pairs of shoes do I need! My answer is... are there ever enough? Like every woman, I love shoes! Flats, heels, sneakers, I love them all!
This collection will be entirely vegan and ethically conscious. Why was that important to you?
Butterfly Twists is a vegan brand. In all honesty, I didn’t know that when I first started wearing their shoes, before I started collaborating with them. I just knew that I loved them. Vegan materials are so advanced and luxurious now – it’s difficult to tell the difference between real leather and vegan leather. I know that it’s an important consideration for many women and I’m happy I can create something ethical without sacrificing style.
You turned 50 last year. What are the biggest life lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve learned that age is just a number. I know it sounds cliché but it’s true. I feel better and happier now than I ever have.
One of the blessings of age is that things roll off your back much more easily. You don’t sweat the small stuff, as they say. Also I’ve found it much easier to prioritise things in my life and have learned the power of “no”. If it’s not something
I really want to do and it’s going to take time away from my family, I say no and that’s liberating.
As far as your acting career goes, what is on your bucket list? Is there a person you’d still like to work with or a particular story you’d love to portray?
I am a voracious reader. I have a few books that I think would make a great movie or a series and so I’m working on those. I’ve worked with so many wonderful actors throughout my career, and of course I’d still love to do a project with an actor I adore – Michael Douglas.
‘One Of the blessings Of age is that YOU don’t sweat the small stuff’