Most Italian luxury footwear brands can be associated with elegance and grace. Giuseppe Zanotti also adds a healthy dose of magic to his designs. His exquisite footwear brings motifs from fantasies and myths to life, from delicate petals to deadly beasts.
Over the past three decades, Giuseppe Zanotti’s footwear has become the go-to choice for fashion’s most daring individuals. Here’s how the Italian designer has built an empire based on boldness and fantasy.
How Giuseppe Zanotti Built a Luxury Shoe Empire
Footwear has always been part of Giuseppe Zanotti’s surroundings. The luxury shoe designer was born in the small village of San Mauro Pascoli, Italy, where footwear manufacturing has been the primary industry for decades.
Giuseppe has often joked that you can smell the leather in the village air.
Giuseppe Zanotti was born in 1957 in San Mauro Pascoli, a town known for its high-end shoe-making tradition (Credit: Delbo Andrea / Shutterstock)
Young Giuseppe was not just inspired to get into the trade because of proximity. He always considered himself a creative person and was particularly inspired by the beautiful women in his region.
Giuseppe wanted to design shoes that accentuated their features. Growing up, he often believed that women’s shoes didn’t do their beauty justice or didn’t reflect the changing times of society.
A Giuseppe Zanotti Design banner proudly hangs outside, featuring the brand’s signature logo that represents luxury, innovation, and Italian craftsmanship in footwear (Credit: Casimiro PT / Shutterstock)
With a clear vision, an 18-year-old Giuseppe started working in a local shoe factory to learn the foundations of the craft. Eventually, he began consulting for major international fashion houses and finally launched his eponymous label in 1994.
Giuseppe Zanotti Design (pronounced Juh-seh-pee Zuh-na-tee) was established to create boundary-pushing footwear for stylish women, all while using traditional Italian craftsmanship techniques.
Inside Giuseppe Zanotti’s Italian Craftsmanship
Giuseppe Zanotti’s footwear is the best example of Italians holding onto traditions where they matter most. His headquarters are still in his hometown of San Mauro Pascoli, where artisans have been creating high-quality footwear for decades.
Giuseppe Zanotti, in his design studio, sketches one of his signature creations surrounded by prototypes and striking campaign imagery, showcasing his artistry and dedication to luxury footwear (Credit: Delbo Andrea / Shutterstock)
The luxury heels, sneakers, and boots are renowned for their lightness and eye-catching silhouettes. Giuseppe has always wanted his designs to have an airy feel while creating the perfect mixture of elements.
He favors natural materials, such as high-quality full-grain Italian leather and silk, that create a stunning contrast.
The Giuseppe Zanotti boutique showcases an elegant display of the brand’s signature luxury footwear, blending modern aesthetics with gold accents to highlight its timeless Italian craftsmanship (Credit: Sorbis / Shutterstock)
All Giuseppe Zanotti shoes are handmade in Italy to the very last detail. Even crystals and embellishments are individually hand-set in his San Mauro Pascoli factory.
The Giuseppe Zanotti team considers safety and comfort as important as quality and style. Each shoe is meticulously designed to fit perfectly so that wearers feel comfortable and balanced.
Music, Art, and Giuseppe Zanotti’s Collaborations
The Italian designer has always been inspired by art and culture, but music holds an extra special place in his heart. Giuseppe actually trained to be a DJ when he was a teenager and has always maintained strong ties to the music industry.
Jennifer Lopez poses with Giuseppe Zanotti, celebrating their collaboration that blends Lopez’s glamorous style with Zanotti’s signature luxury footwear designs (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
The brand has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Kanye West, JLo, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Rita Ora.
He’s been more inspired by the art world lately, recently collaborating with visual artist Joshua Vides.
The 3 Most Iconic Giuseppe Zanotti Shoe Designs
The Italian luxury label has become famous for its sculptural, fantasy-like footwear. Here are some of Giuseppe Zanotti’s most famous styles:
1. Venere: The Sensual Stiletto Inspired by Venus
The designer described this striking style as a fusion between a serpent and a woman’s body.
Named after the Italian word for venus, this sensual stiletto features a curved strap that glides around the ankle like a snake. The Venere has also been reimagined as a flat sandal for the summer holidays.
The Giuseppe Zanotti Venere sandal features a striking gold serpent-like detail that elegantly wraps around the foot, embodying bold luxury and Italian craftsmanship
If you are intrigued by Giuseppe Zanotti’s Venere sandals and their serpentine elegance, explore how Demi Lovato showcased the wavy crystal-adorned ‘Venere’ sandals during a heartfelt performance, adding a touch of sparkle to her ensemble.
Additionally, discover how Karolina Kurkova embraced the ‘Venere’ sandals at the Met Gala, pairing them with a red kimono-style mini dress for a high-fashion finish.
2. Cruel: Iconic Winged Sandals That Turn Heads
With their stunning wing detailing and sleek stiletto heels, we’d say that adding a pair of these exquisite sandals to your shoe collection is more of an act of kindness.
The Cruel shoe is one of the brand’s most memorable designs and has been recreated into flat, block-heeled versions.
The Giuseppe Zanotti Cruel sandals feature striking gold wing detailing set against a sleek black design, offering a bold and luxurious statement in both stiletto and flat versions
There’s even more to explore for readers fascinated by Giuseppe Zanotti’s Cruel sandals and their iconic winged design. Discover how Kanye West collaborated with Giuseppe Zanotti to create the striking Cruel Summer heels, a fusion of music and fashion that left a mark on the industry.
See how Kim Kardashian styled the ‘Cruel Summer’ sandals, showcasing her signature glamour, or dive into a comparison of celebrities, including Kim and Khloé Kardashian, wearing these statement heels and deciding who wore them best.
3. Harmony: The Minimalist Stiletto for Any Occasion
The Harmony heels show the beauty of simplicity. Their minimal design features three thin straps placed at a harmonious equal distance from each other, countered by sky-high stiletto heels. Versatile and chic, the Harmony heels can be paired with just about anything.
The Giuseppe Zanotti Harmony sandals feature a minimalist design with three delicate straps and sky-high stiletto heels, embodying timeless elegance and versatility for any occasion
To see more about Giuseppe Zanotti’s Harmony sandals and their minimalist elegance, explore how Karen Gillan stunned in silver ‘Harmony’ sandals at the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ London premiere, pairing them with a metallic velvet dress for a chic ensemble.
Additionally, discover how Jennifer Lopez lunched at the Louvre in Paris wearing the same iconic sandals, styling them with a monogrammed Gucci dress for a sophisticated look.
Spotting Authentic Giuseppe Zanotti Shoes: A Guide
Want to invest in an authentic pair of Giuseppe Zanotti shoes? Make sure you’re getting the real thing by checking for the following details:
1. Signature Packaging: Black Box and Silver Accents
The shoe box should be black with a silver logo. The inside should contain a silky silver dust bag with the Giuseppe Zanotti logo and a black and silver care card.
Giuseppe Zanotti shoes come in a black box with a silver logo and a silky silver dust bag (Credit: The Luxury Closet)
2. Sole Details: The Key Giuseppe Zanotti Markings
The insole should have an evenly spaced and aligned Giuseppe Zanotti Design logo. The outsole should also have an engraved logo, a ‘Vero Cucio’ (real leather) label, a Made In Italy label, and the size.
A logo and a Made in Italy label should be engraved on every Giuseppe Zanotti shoe outsole
The Giuseppe Zanotti team is dedicated to authenticating their shoes, so you can also check with the Giuseppe Zanotti customer service to see if the seller you are buying from is part of their authorized reseller list.
Where to Shop for Giuseppe Zanotti Shoes
Add a piece of fantasy to your footwear collection with Giuseppe Zanotti. Here’s where to buy his designs:
● Giuseppe Zanotti Official Site
● Amazon
● Farfetch
● Outseason (old-season shoes)
Scroll down to see celebrities wearing the best boots, heels, sandals, and shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Celebrities Who Love Giuseppe Zanotti’s Shoes
Renowned for his luxury designs and distinctive artistry, Giuseppe Zanotti’s shoes have graced countless celebrities on red carpets and beyond. Here are some of the most iconic moments featuring his timeless creations:
- Jennifer Lopez: In 2017, Jennifer Lopez collaborated with Giuseppe Zanotti to create the #GiuseppexJennifer capsule collection, featuring crystal-encrusted booties and wedge sneakers that embody her glamorous and versatile style.
- Rihanna: At the European premiere of “Ocean’s 8,” Rihanna epitomized red-carpet elegance in gold Giuseppe Zanotti Harmony sandals paired perfectly with her shimmering gold Poiret dress.
- Lea Michele: Known for her sophisticated fashion choices, Lea Michele wore Giuseppe Zanotti’s ‘Darsey’ sandals at Elle’s Women in Comedy event, styling them with a sleek J. Mendel dress for a polished appearance.
- Hailee Steinfeld: Hailee Steinfeld showcased her youthful style at the Nickelodeon Halo Awards in Giuseppe Zanotti’s Harmony sandals, pairing them with a bright yellow sequined dress for a vibrant, show-stopping look.
- Nicki Minaj: Making a bold statement, Nicki Minaj wore Giuseppe Zanotti’s two-tone swirl sandals, featuring cyan and cobalt blue suede straps that highlighted her fearless fashion sense.
- Karen Gillan: At the London premiere of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” Karen Gillan added a touch of refined elegance to her outfit with Giuseppe Zanotti Harmony sandals, solidifying her red-carpet status.