Did You Know Giuseppe Zanotti Was a DJ Before He Was A Designer?

If you want to step into the shoes of pop icons like Michael Jackson, Kanye West, and Rihanna, Giuseppe Zanotti might have a pair or two for you. The Italian designer, who started his career as a DJ, has created erce footwear for some of music’s biggest stars. Zanotti may have swapped his turntables for sketchbooks, but the entertainment industry continues to be his most important source of inspiration. Zanotti grew up in San Mauro Pascoli, a small town in Italy, surrounded by traditional shoemakers. As a child, he was enamoured by the world of music, art, and design. After an attempt at DJing, the Italian designer decided to combine his love for music and translate them onto his designs, entering the business at just 18. While his hometown was full of shoe companies, he discovered there was no good footwear to be found. He set about changing things, freelancing as a designer for fashion houses, such as Valentino, Thierry Mugler, Dior, and Roberto Cavalli for 12 years before nally striking out in 1994 with his rst eponymous collection in New York. Today, music and musicians continue to play a huge part in Zanotti’s brand. Some of his most famous fans are renowned stars from the worlds of pop and rap music. Giuseppe Zanotti shoes have become a mainstay of red carpet fashion, worn by celebrities including Madonna, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna. Some famous clients have even become collaborators; Jennifer Lopez, Zayn Malik, and Kanye West have all worked with Zanotti on hugely successful footwear collections. It was, in fact, rapper Kanye West, a close friend and client, who urged himtocreatehis rstpairofmen’ssneakersforaconcert. He launched a men’s micro-collection in 2012 and since then crystal-studded sneakers, tuxedo loafers, and slip- ons with eclectic prints have become a regular part of his collections. At a time when many global brands are outsourcing their manufacturing, every pair of Giuseppe Zanotti shoes is hand-crafted in the brand’s own factory in the town where the designer was born. Giuseppe Zanotti’s latest spring/summer men’s collection is a lesson in versatility. The more conservative end of the men’s collection is inspired by a distinctly modern, dandy attitude, ranging from elegant slip-on loafers to eye-catching crystal- adorned monk strap shoes. There are sneakers too, of course, as the designer continues to transform the sporty staple into a must-have luxury item. This season, high-top sneakers take a sophisticated turn with metal detailing accents on the classic Gold Panther style, new logo buckles, and a cleverly veiled reference to the designer’s initial. The collection is rounded out by lightweight boots in unlined suede, and silhouettes that appear solid but the texture is light. As the collection breaks the limitations of the customary seasonal approach, grooms have a plethora of offerings to choose from, whether one’s getting married by the beach or on the hillside. With such a wide variety of designs, Zanotti has navigated into a world of modern luxury where beauty lies in the absence of rules.