Between nature, desire, and enduring form.
In a fashion world obsessed with what’s next, Giuseppe Zanotti has always chosen what lasts. For him, elegance isn’t seasonal, desire has no age, and innovation only matters when it serves balance and beauty. From slim silhouettes that refuse to age to a shared sensibility between Italian and Arab women, Zanotti speaks of design as heritage, refinement, and intuition. This season, he also launched his latest collection exclusively with Level Shoes, underscoring a refined partnership that celebrates craftsmanship through select pieces available at the Dubai-based luxury retailer.
KHAMSA sat down with the designer to talk about timelessness, nature, and the secrets behind shoes that never try too hard — and never have to.
١. Giuseppe Zanotti is one of the rare brands that has always stayed true to itself and never followed trends. Was that difficult?
Trends can be dangerous. I prefer timeless design; pieces that remain relevant 10, 20,
even 30 years later because the proportions, materials and balance are right. Innovation is
essential, but never at the expense of elegance. Cool, but not too cool; bold, but never loud.
٢. And who is the “Slim Shoe” woman today compared to 25 years ago?
She hasn’t aged, because desire has no age. From 14 to 80, women want to feel beautiful.
When I design, I feel like a child again, playing with my pencil. I try to keep the soul of the
shoe intact, with small modern adjustments that allow it to live for a long time.
٣. From your point of view, what do Italian and Arab women have in common?
Sensibility. A deep love for beauty and for elegance. In southern Italy, like in many Arab
cultures, this sensibility is passed down by grandmothers and mothers;
How to dress, how
to carry yourself, how to honour your heritage. It’s more than fashion; it’s a way of living.
٤. When you revisit an iconic shoe, how do you approach it?
With respect. You don’t rewrite its story; you refine it. A slimmer heel, a more precise
accessory, hidden strength for support. A designer must stay loyal to a philosophy of beauty,
respect, and care.
٥. Living close to nature, how often do you feel the need to return to the city? Where does your inspiration come from?
Cities can energize, but they can also be toxic. Nature is where I recharge; my trees, the
wind, the smell of spring or the sun in summer. In high season, I take my boat and explore
the quieter islands of southern Italy. Touching nature gives me energy.
But I’m not a monk. I need people, life, movement. My balance lies between both worlds.
٦. How does this balance influence your creative process?
It keeps me grounded. Nature protects my well-being; travel and real life keep me
connected. When I’m alone, I write;
I write the “lyrics” of what I want to create before
translating them into shoes.
٧. Besides nature, what else inspires you?
Movies, music, and the timeless aesthetics of the 60s and 70s. I love the dialogue between
past and future. 2001: A Space Odyssey, for example, was made in the 60s but imagined the
future. I like to play in that same space, where past and future meet to create the present.
It’s not an easy profession, but it’s a beautiful one.
