Step into a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti shoes or boots and you are instantly transformed into a princess. His name has become a staple in the list of premiere footwear brands over the past decade, and for good reason. His attention to detail, an eternally sexy style, and embellishments fit for a queen have made his footwear desired the world over.

Born in San Mauro Pascoli, a small town in Italy, Giuseppe began making shoes in 1985. He freelanced for footwear and clothing companies for 10 years until 1995 when he began his own line, Giuseppe Zanotti. He purchased his very own shoe factory, Vicini, in 1996 and by 2001 business was strong enough that he was able to build a newer, larger factory.

Giuseppe still owns and operates these two bustling factories in San Mauro Pascoli which has become a shoe manufacturing hotspot, home to factories of fellow shoe-makers like Sergio Rossi. Giuseppe sells his designs through his own three lines Giuseppe Zanotti Designs, Vicini, and Tapeet. However he has been licensed to make shoes under major design labels including Roberto Cavalli, Vera Wang, DSquared, Blumarine, and more.

Giuseppe has tenaciously insisted on exclusively producing his shoes in Italy, despite a mass movement of sorts by footwear manufacturers to export production to places like China in order to beat rising costs. He has also invested much money and time in the continuation and cultivation of the shoemaking trade in Italy, believing that there is a good deal of talent to be found in the younger generation and not just the older, more experienced age group. He was one of the many ‘shoe aficionados’ that helped establish Cercal, an international footwear school that educates its students in all facets of the shoe trade from working with leather to operating high-tech computer design programs. Giuseppe currently employs many students from this school, and in 2006 it was reported that Giuseppe’s factories have around 340 employees with an average age of 35.

A shoe with the Giuseppe Zanotti name on it is truly a piece of art, hand-crafted from start to finish. Each one even has its own file containing all of the information about it like materials used and the amount of manpower taken to produce it. This file is then consulted to determine what will be charged for the shoe. Steep prices are the result of the high quality construction and all of the handmade elements that are intrinsic to each style from hand-stitched embroidery to elaborate adornments like Swarovski crystals glued on one by one.

Any fan of his shoes will notice that Giuseppe has always had a predilection for bejeweled footwear, but what has become his signature look today may have been a hurdle in the beginning. He was told early on that “jewels were for the neck and not for putting on shoes.” Lucky for us he pursued his passion.

He currently produces more than 500,000 pairs of shoes a year and sells them in his 40 boutiques as well as in major department stores all over the world. Giuseppe was recently recognized as the winner of the ‘Designer of the Year’ award at the 2007 QVC presents ‘FFANY Shoes on Sale’. When asked what he loves about designing his shoes, Giuseppe is quoted as saying “The design of a shoe is like a piece of music. Each piece is like a note, but all together they create something beautiful…or something horrible.” (reviewjournal.com) Music has been an influence in Giuseppe’s life from a very young age, and he is reported as owning more than 6,000 records! Giuseppe has also said about his shoes “When I design shoes I am aware of fashion but more so how it will appeal and apply to the women who wear them. I am creating shoes to empower women and my hope is that women have fun and feel sexy in Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.” (Face2Face, Zappos.com) Well said Giuseppe, and just one more accomplishment to check off of your list.

Official website: http://www.giuseppe-zanotti-design.com/

Giuseppe Zanotti ‘Fun Facts’:

• What 5 things can Giuseppe not live without? His sons, his shoes, his music, photos/memories, and his craziness (Face2Face, Zappos)
• Giuseppe’s passion other than shoes is watches. He owns more than 60!
• Luisa Via Roma, the designer of a famous teddy bear-like robot, asked Giuseppe Zanotti to design his own interpretation for an auction in Jan., ’07. The result was the Superglam Toy dressed in evening wear holding a pair of Swarovski crystal-studded ballet flats from Giuseppe’s collection.