Task on further research (practicing referencing)

Giuseppe Zanotti

 Giuseppe Zanotti (1957) is an Italian shoe designer born in San Mauro Pascoli, a small village near Rimini. Zanotti started off working for local craftsmen and moved on as a freelancer for fashion houses such as Valentino, and in 1994 he managed to build his own business from acquiring a company called Vicini (Eytan, 2015). He began with a small number of employees and eventually expanded by and creating thousands of pairs of shoes for women and built up a company with 7 factories and 420 employees. He opened his first store in Milan followed by other cities of fashion like Paris and New York (Windsor, 2008) . He is viewed as a remarkable designer and created luxury shoes for celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Heidi Klum amongst many more. "His heels top every woman's lust-list, and his sneakers have become a staple amongst every self-respecting hip hop artist" . (Eytan, 2015).

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2020) Giuseppe Zanotti. [Instagram] 2nd January. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/  [Accessed 09/04/20].

During an Interview with Eytan (2015) Zanotti explains how he pursued music at a young age. Not being able to succeed within that field he discusses how he relates to music on all of his work and how his passion for music has helped him develop his work. He identifies himself in hip-hop music and gets his inspiration from this genre.  Zanotti's sneakers have become iconic around the world and he sometimes collaborates with hip-hop artists allowing them to create their own type of sneakers. The same goes for all types of shoes, as he collaborated with Kanye West on a pair of Sandals worth $ 6,000 and worked with Beyoncé too.

                                                                                                                         

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2018)  Harmony. [Online image] Available from: https://www.giuseppezanotti.com/wo/starlook/BEYONCE [Accessed 09/04/20].

                                                                                                                                                              

 All of Zanotti's work is considered luxurious, even his sneakers.
"He used the same chamois cloth for the gold shoe stands and for the shoes themselves, which sparkled intensely, as is the Zanotti way"(Caramanica, 2016) . From this we can assume that Zanotti uses a lot of gold and diamonds on his work and this is indeed true; in addition to zippers and tiered outsoles which are characteristic elements of his sneakers. At first, the business began as a footwear brand but now it offers small handbags and leather clothes as well.

        

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2020) Talon. [Instagram] 11th January. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessesd 09/04/20].         

I follow the brand's official Instagram account and this page often uploads short videos of about 20 seconds in which we see part of the manufacturing process of the shoes which in my opinion is very fascinating. We see this in many famous brands for example Dior and I've always loved watching them. The music plays a key role in these videos because the choice of this piano/classic music implies a feeling of elegance and luxury which is probably what the designers want the audience to think of the brand.

The video is full of close-ups on the material and products emphasizing on detail, professional care and handmade work. Many futures of this video suggest luxury starting from the gems and moving on to how the employee cleans the gems with what appears to be a delicate and graceful gesture and finally the brand signature on both the cleaning rug and coat of the worker.

                           

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2019) Lynette- a high back sandal dripping in crystals. [Instagram] 22nd March. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessed 09/04/20].

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2019) Lynette - a gleaming high back, crisscross sandal embellished in crystals.  [Instagram] 23nd March. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessed 09/04/20].

If I could I would buy ALL of his shoes, but when shopping I have to be critical just like every consumer. People often wonder if they would actually wear the piece and if it will benefit them before purchasing the product. Here are two images of products I would definitely buy for 2 main reasons. 

                                                                                                                              

1.  They are suitable for a younger aged consumer 

2. They would be easier for me to wear

If we look at the first pair, the color and heel shape are definitely attention grabbing. They fit with both casual and more formal outfits so I would wear them quite often. One problem might be the bright fuchsia color as in my opinion it doesn't match with colors like blue or yellow. The fact that they are not stiletto heels, makes it easier to walk in them.

               

GIUSEEPE ZANOTTI (2017) Miss Unfinished. [Instagram] 17th August. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessed 09/04/20].                                                                                                       

This nude/beige is a common type of sandal within Zanetti's

brand also found in different colors and materials. This one is particularly made with reptile print leather. The neutral color allows them to be a part of every outfit and occasion. Obviously harder to pull off because of their 3.25 inches stiletto heel but should be comfortable as they are made by 100% leather (Amazon, 2019).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2019) In creamy ivory, the Neyla. [Instagram] 20th March. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessed 09/04/20].                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                

                               
                                                                                                                            

I have an oppositional thought on these 2 pair of shoes and I wouldn't purchase them.

The Bebe model is a platform heel so your feet should be comfortable while wearing them but if you trip your ankle is likely to dislocate or break. The heel is 150mm (15cm) and plateau 70mm (7cm) (Giuseppe Zanotti, n.d.). I would never be able to walk in those and in my eyes they look slightly vulgar.

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2019) Bebe. [Instagram] 1st November. Available from:https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessed 09/04/20].

Moving on to this second pair, the problem isn't the height put the shape and pattern. I don't like the animalier print and I wouldn't wear it. I do feel like this pair of shoes is intended for older women and wouldn't suit an 18 year old. The décolleté shape is surely less comfortable then a sandal, since a sandal is open at the front while a décolleté are closed at the front and have a pointy/triangular shape.

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2019) Samia. [Instagram] 30th November. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessed 09/04/20]. 

     








Sources:

AMAZON (2019) Giuseppe Zanotti Woman's Neyla Serpent Embossed Heel Sandal. [Online] Amazon. Available from: https://www.amazon.com/Giuseppe-Zanotti-Womens-Serpent-Embossed/dp/B07JQQLGZ7?th=1 [Accessed 09/04/20].


CARAMANICA, J (2016) The Store With the Golden Sneakers. The New York Times. [Online] 10th May. Available from: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/fashion/giuseppe-zanotti-golden-sneakers.html [Accessed 09/04/20]

EYTAN, D (2015) Shoe Master Giuseppe Zanotti on His 20-Year Career and Working with Beyoncé. Forbes. [Online] 19th March. Available from:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/declaneytan/2015/03/19/giuseppe-zanotti-announces-beyonce-collaboration-and-reflects-on-his-20-years-in-business/#494a9a5a4527 [Accessed 09/04/20].

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2019) Bebe. [Instagram] 1st November. Available from:https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessed 09/04/20]

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (n.d.) Bebe. [Online] Giuseppe Zanotti. Available from: https://www.giuseppezanotti.com/wo/bebe-i960040001 [Accesses 09/04/20].

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2019) Crafted in glossy black patent leather and a modern exotic, the BEBE platform. [Instagram] 1st November. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessed 09/04/20].


GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2020) Giuseppe Zanotti. [Instagram] 2nd January. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/  [Accessed 09/04/20].

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2018)  Harmony. [Online image] Available from: https://www.giuseppezanotti.com/wo/starlook/BEYONCE [Accessed 09/04/20].

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2019) In creamy ivory, the Neyla. [Instagram] 20th March. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessed 09/04/20].

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2019) Lynette - a gleaming high back, crisscross sandal embellished in crystals.  [Instagram] 23nd March. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessed 09/04/20].


GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2019) Lynette- a high back sandal dripping in crystals. [Instagram] 22nd March. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessed 09/04/20].


GIUSEEPE ZANOTTI (2017) Miss Unfinished. [Instagram] 17th August. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessed 09/04/20].

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2019) Samia. [Instagram] 30th November. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessed 09/04/20]. 


GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI (2020) Talon. [Instagram] 11th January. Available from: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppezanotti/ [Accessesd 09/04/20].


WINDSOR, C (2008) Made in Italy: designer Giuseppe Zanotti is staying ahead in the ultra-competitive luxe market with must-have product, flashy new stories and a strong celebrity following. Footwear News, 64 (17), n.d.