“You should never feel afraid to become a piece of art. It’s exhilarating.” – Nicki Minaj
If there’s one thing Nicki Minaj has never been afraid of, it’s making a bold statement—whether in her music, her attitude, or her style. At 31, the Starships singer proved once again that she wasn’t about to tone things down. In true Minaj fashion, she took to Instagram to showcase her latest eye-catching look—a graffiti-inspired fitted dress paired with striking purple Giuseppe Zanotti booties.
Nicki Minaj’s fearless mix of streetwear and high fashion has always set her apart. But was this just another daring outfit or a bold statement about her growing influence in fashion?
Nicki Minaj showcases her bold style in a graffiti-inspired bodycon dress and vibrant purple Giuseppe Zanotti booties (Credit: Nicki Minaj’s Instagram)
Nicki Minaj’s Kmart Collection: A Bold Venture With a Sudden End
It turns out that this wasn’t just a bold fashion moment—it was a sneak peek at her Spring 2014 Kmart collection.
In 2017, her apparel line was discontinued in stores. “Kmart is thrilled that we were the first retail partner to create a custom apparel line for Nicki Minaj,” a representative for American big-box department store chain Kmart told Billboard.
“From the development of the line, to showcasing it in stores, to designing exclusive capsule collections, we have enjoyed a positive relationship with Nicki Minaj and her team over the last three years. As our partnership came to a close in 2016, we would like to thank Nicki Minaj for being a great partner and wish her continued success in her future endeavors.”
Behind the Scenes of the ‘Starships’ Music Video
“Starships,” a song from her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, was written by Minaj, Nadir Khayat, Carl Falk, Rami Yacoub, and Wayne Hector. It was released on February 14, 2012, when Nicki Minaj was 29.
Nicki Minaj suffered a nip-slip wardrobe malfunction while performing at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, England, on October 21, 2012
The opening scene of the music video for Starships is from the Nā Pali Coast on the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaii. Wearing a pink bikini and electric green hair, Nicki Minaj is beamed down onto a beach from a starship.
Pink bikini-clad, electric green-haired Nicki Minaj in the opening scene of Starships filmed on the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaii
The rest of the “Starships” music video was shot on Kualoa Ranch, a private nature reserve on Oahu Island, Hawaii. Filmed in March 2012, the Anthony Mandle-directed video premiered on MTV on April 26, 2012.
As of March 2025, the video has more than 488 million views on YouTube.
Nicki Minaj exudes vibrant style with pastel green hair and a pink outfit in a scene from her “Starships” music video
Giuseppe Zanotti acknowledges hip-hop’s influence on modern fashion, saying, ‘Hip hop is the strongest form of protest there is, and it doesn’t always have to be a violent protest. It can be romantic, also.’ Minaj’s fashion—often mixing streetwear elements with high-end designer pieces—embodies this spirit, merging rebellion, glamour, and self-expression.
Nicki Minaj’s Love for Giuseppe Zanotti’s Iconic Booties
While Nicki created her first custom clothing line with Kmart, when it comes to her shoes, we all know she loves designer footwear. She chose a pair of booties by Giuseppe Zanotti to promote her affordable fashion line on Instagram.
The pop of purple was just striking! Moreover, the booties feature a gold-tone zip fastening down the front with tasseled zipper pulls.
Zanotti’s craftsmanship sets his designs apart. As he puts it, ‘The sneaker comes from sports, but it’s couture now… I use silk and diamonds and crystals. I think my sneakers have a lot of good vibrations.’
This same luxury-first mindset is evident in Nicki’s purple Zanotti booties, which balance chunky, bold features with a distinct femininity. Zendaya wore these purple Giuseppe Zanotti peep-toe booties with a vibrant marigold Prada dress.
Purple Giuseppe Zanotti Zip-Up Booties
Nicki Minaj’s love for Giuseppe Zanotti’s bold footwear designs aligns with the designer’s belief that ‘a woman can slip on a pair of embellished cage heels one night and a pair of streamlined, lightweight sneakers the next day. The beauty of modern luxury is the absence of rules.’
Her daring fashion choices—whether in studded booties or neon peep-toe pumps—mirror Zanotti’s vision of contemporary glamour. At the 2014 Fashion Rocks event, Nicki turned heads in a plunging Saint Laurent jacket dress paired with Giuseppe Zanotti’s gold-studded booties, which added a glamorous edge to her look.
She also showcased her vibrant style by wearing a fuchsia pink pantsuit with light pink Giuseppe Zanotti peep-toe pumps during the launch of her “Pink Friday” fragrance, demonstrating her flair for blending bold colors with high fashion.
Nicki Minaj in Low-Cut Jacket and Giuseppe Zanotti Embellished Boots
Nicki Minaj made headlines at the 2014 Fashion Rocks when she arrived in a revealing outfit and showed some racy moves during her “Anaconda” performance on stage.
She also created buzz when she took to Twitter to express her dismay on CBS for not showing the choreography during the song’s second verse and instead focusing the shot on the audience.
Nicki may have toned down her Barbie style but has not stopped wearing sexy ensembles. For her performance, she put together a risqué outfit with a shimmering crystal-embellished bra and a high-waisted embellished skirt. She finished the look with a pair of white boots.
Before hitting the stage, the 31-year-old rapper was seen arriving at the event in a low-cut jacket dress from Saint Laurent’s Fall 2014 collection. It revealed her legs and a hefty amount of cleavage, and its belted waist emphasized her fantastic figure. The long sleeves provided a hint of modesty.
Make a bold statement like Nicki Minaj by pairing a structured black blazer dress with embellished Giuseppe Zanotti booties for the perfect mix of power and glam
For Nicki Minaj, shoes are more than just an accessory—they’re a statement.
As Giuseppe Zanotti says, ‘High heels are like a beauty lift. In a flat, you can feel beautiful, but a stiletto changes your mood, how you move—like a wild, beautiful animal.’ Her embellished Zanotti booties elevated her entire look, proving that bold footwear is the ultimate power move.
Nicki Minaj at the 2014 Fashion Rocks held at Barclays Center in New York City on September 9, 2014 (Credit: PNP / WENN)
The gold-toned, multi-shaped metal studs covering the entire front were enough to glam up her look. The shoes also have triple-buckled leather straps, peep-toes, open backs, and 4.7-inch heels.
Nicki Minaj elevates her edgy style with these gold-studded Giuseppe Zanotti booties, proving that bold footwear is the ultimate statement piece
Would you rock these hard-to-ignore boots? You can browse the latest shoe releases from the Italian shoe designer at Farfetch:
Giuseppe Zanotti Embellished Suede Boots, $2,795
Giuseppe Zanotti has always understood the power of celebrity influence. ‘Every time I work with a star, I learn a lot. Also, I teach a lot because I’m a shoemaker, a designer. I’m born with a pencil in my hand,’ he once said.
This ability to merge craftsmanship with star power has made his footwear a red-carpet favorite for stars like Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, and Bella Hadid.
Celebrity Style: Stars Who Love Giuseppe Zanotti Boots
From red carpet events to off-duty street style, here are some of the most stylish celebrity moments featuring Zanotti boots:
Mariah Carey’s Festive Chic in Aspen
- Event: Holiday Shopping in Aspen
- Outfit: Mariah Carey embraced the holiday spirit in a red Gucci sweater dress, exuding festive elegance.
- Footwear: She complemented her ensemble with white Giuseppe Zanotti knee-high boots featuring sheepskin trims and chunky block heels, perfectly blending style with winter functionality.
- More Details: Explore Mariah Carey’s festive look with Zanotti boots.
Heidi Klum’s Edgy Street Style in Manhattan
- Event: Casual Outing in Soho, New York City
- Outfit: Heidi Klum showcased a chic street style, pairing skinny jeans with a statement Valentino Rockstud tote bag.
- Footwear: She elevated her look with Giuseppe Zanotti x Anja Rubik suede open-toe lace-up booties, featuring bold metallic ankle straps and intricate lace-up detailing.
- More Details: Discover Heidi Klum’s stylish appearance in Zanotti booties.
Bella Hadid’s Patent Leather Ensemble in Paris
- Event: Debuting Chrome Hearts x Bella Hadid Bag
- Outfit: Bella Hadid turned heads in an all-patent black outfit, including a Brashy “Berlin” PVC trench coat and a Manokhi “Fusta” skirt.
- Footwear: She completed her ensemble with Giuseppe Zanotti patent boots, adding a sleek touch to her edgy look.
- More Details: See Bella Hadid’s patent leather look with Zanotti boots.
These moments highlight the versatility and appeal of Giuseppe Zanotti boots among celebrities, proving that his designs are the perfect statement piece for any occasion.