With clients that include Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, the shoe designer speaks to us about designing for the modern woman

 

Hailed as a global leader in designer footwear, Stuart Weitzman has built his eponymous brand on the belief that he can successfully merge fashion and function to create shoes that are engineered to feel as good as they look, and to look as good as they feel.

With a following that ranges from CEOs to celebrities – the shoe designer has proudly created his first television commercial starring the face of the brand, Gisele Bündchen, with the video seen during this year’s highly publicised MTV Video Music Awards. Directed by the renowned fashion photographer Mario Testino, the commercial tells the story of the brand’s connection to dance and music.

With Weitzman acting as the main sponsor of Hong Kong Tatler’s inaugural end of summer soiree, he spoke with us ahead of his commercial debut about why designing shoes runs in his DNA, and what it takes to design for the modern woman: 


I’ve always been around beautiful shoes - as a kid I hung around my father’s shoe factories, so it was fun and looked at it as a hobby. 

It’s so different today compared to when I started astechnology makes so much more possible in shoe manufacturing.

When I create the various ideas that make up a collection, I am thinking of the many diverse personalities of women – the fashionista, celebrity, career woman, the ultra chic and bride. By embracing each one individually, I have been able to satisfy the desires of each.

People always like to compare designers and their collections, but all I can say is that I design for the modern woman – she wants high fashion yet doesn’t have to sacrifice on comfort and style. 

When I see powerful, modern women like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift wearing my shoes, it truly is an honor to work with these hard working ladies on their performance shoes for their global tours – to see them dancing on stage is such a rush.

I’m thrilled with how the “Make Your Move” commercial turned out; Gisele Bundchen exemplifies the Stuart Weitzman woman with her zest for life and family. Mario Testino is always a pleasure to work with and his dynamic with Gisele truly make the two a dynamic duo

My favourite from my Autumn Winter collection would have to be the Allegs – it’s the ultimate extreme thigh high boot that hugs the leg just perfectly

What’s next? Spring 2016!

I always live by the mantra, “Do what you love, as you will never then work a day in your life.”


Watch Stuart Weitzman’s ‘Make That Move’ commercial below: