Giuseppe Zanotti: Shoes as Works of Art

There are not many true craftsmen left today who are utterly trusted by the biggest stars of show business. One of them, however, is Giuseppe Zanotti, for whom nothing is impossible. Shoes that resemble small works of art are his specialty, and it is for this very reason that Zanotti is one of the most sought-after designers in the world today.

Raised in Italy, in the town of San Mauro Pascoli, famous for its long-standing shoemaking tradition, Zanotti fell madly in love with shoes and turned his love into a passion worth millions. Initially, young Giuseppe Zanotti saw shoes only as practical everyday accessories, but he always showed interest in culture, applied art and a sensitive approach to creation.

Being a shoemaker was not always his path. As a young boy, he dreamed of becoming a world-famous DJ, however, this short episode did not promise a great career in this field. His love for music has remained to this day and for the last three decades, Giuseppe Zanotti has been creating shoes to the accompaniment of the biggest rock stars of the 70s and 80s music scene.

Giuseppe Zanotti: From New York to Milan

When exactly did Zanotti start to treat shoes with the reverence we associate with his work today? The mid-60s was a time when the young shoemaker was honing his craft. At first, he worked as a freelancer, only to start receiving commissions eventually that were worth several sleepless nights. Dior, Roberto Cavalli, and Valentino are just some big names that quickly recognized the extraordinary talent of the Italian creator of fabulous shoes. Collaboration with recognizable brands was what set in motion an endless perpetual motion machine and allowed Zanotti to create his own original shoe brand.

His first collection was presented to a wider audience in New York, long after his first debut in the 60s. This is proof of how much perseverance, motivation, and passion Giuseppe Zanotti had for his profession. The shoes he showed in the American fashion capital delighted the esteemed clientele. Interestingly, Zanotti presented his collection first on foreign soil, and only then did his fame and beautiful shoe models reach Italy, specifically Milan, which quickly became enamored with these shoemaking works of art.

Zanotti: Shoes as Fine Jewelry

For decades, Giuseppe Zanotti created exclusively women's shoe models. They gave him the most satisfaction and allowed him to create decorations and applications that women could only dream of in the 90s. Zanotti's heels, platform shoes, or delicate sandals made women's feet the decoration of the entire outfit. Zanotti's shoes were and still are treated like luxury jewelry, loved by women all around the world. In 2012, Zanotti presented his first men's collection from the Giuseppe Homme line. Just like in women's models, shoes for men combine a classic base with the finesse and courage that characterize all designs by the Italian designer. Despite the passage of time, Giuseppe Zanotti still insists that a shoe is a work of art which, when properly designed, can be the most beautiful decoration of both women's and men's attire.