Luxury is in the eye of the beholder, but when it comes to the luxury lifestyle, we like to think that we know a thing or two.
For Giuseppe Zanotti, shoes were never just about feet. For the Italian designer, shoes were a way to communicate art, music, and beauty in an elegant way.His work has become synonymous with quality craftsmanship and each shoe is treated as a piece of couture - making a pair a highly coveted addition to any wardrobe.
Discretion, quality, and craftsmanship ? Bottega Veneta has created a new standard of luxury since its founding in Vicenza in 1966. Steeped in the traditions of Italy?s master leather craftsmen and long celebrated for its extraordinary leather goods, Bottega Veneta has recently emerged as one of the world?s premier luxury brands. The company?s famous motto, ?When your own initials are enough,? expresses a philosophy of individuality and confidence.
While Bottega Veneta continues to grow, the qualities that define it are unchanging: outstanding craftsmanship, innovative design, contemporary functionality, and the highest quality materials. Also constant is Bottega Veneta?s commitment to its ateliers, where artisans of remarkable skill combine traditional mastery with breathtaking innovation.
Whisper "Stuart Weitzman" to any discerning shoe-lover, and you'll inspire a reverie. Sumptuous pumps . . . glittering mules . . . studded stilettos - Weitzman creations are the stuff of dreams for women around the world.
Frequently seen on runways and red carpets, Weitzman shoes literally make headlines. Often, they deserve a spotlight of their own. Die-hard devotees have even penned poems and composed songs to celebrate their passion for Weitzman styles.
Although Miu Miu is the brainchild of Miuccia Prada, the styles evoke spears of sex, style, and intrigue...therefore making the list for Best Designer Shoes. Miuccia Prada is a true trend visionary and each of her designs instantly become hits among chic fashionistas.
Her mix of sophistication and eclecticism makes her shoes perfect to wear from a dive bar to the hippest nightspot.
Jimmy Choo was launched in 1996 when Tamara Mellon, Accessories Editor at British Vogue realized the potential demand for stylish but wearable shoes and approached Mr Jimmy Choo, the couture shoe maker based in the East End of London, recognized for his excellent craftsmanship.
In 1998, Jimmy Choo opened its first boutique in New York followed by Los Angeles in 1999. Sparking an immediate success amongst young Hollywood, Jimmy Choo became synonymous with the "red carpet" shoe of choice and was hailed the lucky charm for Oscar winners such as Cate Blanchett, Halle Berry, Hilary Swank and many other Hollywood actresses.
Walter Steiger as a company was started by Walter Steiger senior in 1932 as an an exclusive tailored shoe atelier.
When a woman walks by and her sky-high heels have a bright red sole, this means only one thing... She has Louboutins. These instantly recognizable stilettos have become de rigueur on the red carpet, and amongst shoe connoisseurs alike.
The avant-garde style and design that embodies every Louboutin is what makes a Christian Louboutin shoe a must-have, and ever so desirable.
In 2001, Atwood finally took the plunge and created his own label dedicated to stop-and-stare, drop-dead-gorgeous shoes made from the best manufacturers in Italy. Atwood, clearly an ally for all females, is singularly devoted to making women's bottom halves look long, lean and fabulously sexy...and he does all that without killing their feet. His wicked stilettos, filled with detail and unusual contrasts, are expertly constructed using only the finest luxury materials.
Radical and graphic are the two words most frequently used to describe Pierre Hardy's designs. Flashy but always elegant, the fashion house's shoe designs have continually made a sartorial splash since their unveiling in 1999.
With a career spanning over 30 years, Manolo Blahnik has become one of the most influential footwear designers in the world. His intricate designs have managed to become the obsession of shoe connoisseurs across the globe. From the sexy stiletto heel, to the little detailed embroidery, every pair of Manolo's is unique, exuberant, luxurious, and extremely coveted and desired.
Mastering aesthetics from 16th century design and razor sharp tailoring, during his life, Alexander McQueen managed to make quite the mark in the fashion industry. Capturing elements that are hard to uncover, his shoe collection shows raw energy, romantic edge, and bespoke tailoring.
Bright, sexy, intriguing, and masterful are all the reasons as to why Alexander McQueen tops our "Best" list.
Because they blend experience and technical skills, shoes require a very special know-how. Relying on the finest time-honed craftsmanship, Louis Vuitton creates shoes of exceptional quality and comfort. Louis Vuitton's workshops are ideally situated in Venetia, where expert cobblery is a proud tradition.
