Giuseppe Zanotti Collaborates With Rita Ora
The line will launch on Jan. 24 across select Giuseppe Zanotti stores, online, and at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. Prices start at $795 for the flats and rise to $2,495 for the boot styles.
The footwear designer who collaborated in the past with musicians, actors and actresses, chooses Rita Ora for his next collaboration.
“I love working with artists because they’re very efficient,” he told WWD, adding that Ora loves fashion and he loves music. “In both our lines of profession we need to research everything, everywhere and every day. She’s very multitasking, and I admire that.”
“I used to buy shoes at vintage markets, cut them up and Scotch tape parts together. It’s nice after 20 years to go back to the past to work in a very artisanal way. I was painting the shoes and changing lines with scissors,” he added during an interview on the shoot with Ora.
As a result of their close collaboration, Zanotti said he was able to work in the ‘old school’ way,” meaning that he made the initial creations by hand.
The Giuseppe for Rita Ora collection includes slides, stiletto sandals, pointed-toe mules and knee-high, peep-toe boots with a chunky Cuban Link chain on the heel. The chain is the showpiece of the collection and was a special request of Ora’s. She said it embodies both the Zanotti brand and her personality.
“One of my favorite styles of jewelry is the Cuban Link, which also happens to be Giuseppe’s key statement, so it made sense to include it in our collaboration,” said Ora, who was decked out in a gold chain link necklace and bracelet. “It’s just a mirror of my own personal jewelry collection.”
Zanotti said the chain represents “the punk rock generation. There’s a hard rock and grunge feel to it and I think the chain is a very aggressive element — but in a good way. Chains are also a timeless accessory and I think it’s the perfect seasonal accessory for spring and summer, perfect for the clubs.”