World-renowned shoe designer Stuart Weitzman is in step with the latest trends. He visited Holt Renfrew's Bloor Street store recently and, during an exclusive interview, revealed what's new for fall 2008, why women can't have too many pairs of shoes and what every woman needs to put her best foot forward.
Holt Renfrew: Why do you think women love shoes so much?
Stuart Weitzman: I have so often been asked, 'Why do women love shoes?' and the answer is so obvious: what is the first wonderful story that most little girls read about? Yes, something as simple and accessible as a beautiful shoe, makes [a woman] feel like a princess. Who wouldn’t want to be Cinderella for a night?
HR: Where do you find inspiration?
SW: Women in general inspire me, but I am inspired by everything around me. I believe creativity can be sparked by the simplest details. Some forms of past, present and future inspiration, for me, have been things I have seen on the sidewalks of New York City, the Spanish countryside, a favourite old movie and the changes in nature within each season.
HR: You're famous for shoes that seamlessly mix fashion, fit and comfort. What's the secret?
SW: I am one of the few designers who is also a pattern-maker and I personally see my products through the entire manufacturing process.
HR: Why do so many celebrities wear your shoes?
SW: The same reason a woman who doesn't live in the public eye does: they fuse fashion and function effortlessly.
HR: What should every woman have in her shoe wardrobe?
SW: The high-heel stiletto. Nothing has been invented yet that beats the high heel for making a good pair of legs look great and a great pair look fabulous.
HR: Describe the mood of your fall 2008 Collection.
SW: Key themes within my fall 2008 collection are 'Biker Chic,' 'Mixing of Materials,' 'The Masculine Side of Feminine' and 'Updated Platforms.'
HR: Do you have a favourite from your fall line-up?
SW: Impossible...would be like picking your favourite child.
HR: Describe Stuart Weitzman style in five words or less.
SW: Playfully glamorous.
HR: Who are your style icons?
SW: For me, it would be classic fashion icons like Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall, as well as modern muses like Jessica Alba and Kate Winslet.
HR: What's the best advice you can give to women shopping for shoes?
SW: When a woman puts on a pair of shoes and they make her smile when she puts them on...then, they are perfect!
Shop the Stuart WEITZMAN shoe collection at the Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Ste-Foy, Montreal, Toronto - Sherway Gardens, Toronto - Yorkdale and Toronto - Bloor Street Holt Renfrew locations.
Shop the Stuart WEITZMAN handbag collection at the Vancouver, Toronto - Sherway Gardens, Toronto - Yorkdale and Toronto - Bloor Street Holt Renfrew locations.
