July 16, 2009

The dish with … Paola Venturi


By Lesley Kennedy

After graduating from the School of Arts in Rimini, Italy, Paola Venturi discovered she had a passion for shoes. “I began my career with Sergio Rossi,” she says. “From then on, I knew I would be designing shoes for the rest of my life.” In January, Venturi landed at Via Spiga (she had been the creative director at Te Casan, and, before that, led creative design for women’s footwear under the Kate Spade label for six years, and developed and designed women’s and men’s shoe collections for Calvin Klein). We caught up with her to chat about her muse, favorite styles and the shoe every woman must own.

Why shoes: What attracts me to footwear design is the challenge of finding the divine proportion between all elements: colors, materials and shapes have to be in perfect harmony.
Her inspiration: My muse for Via Spiga’s fall collection was Marlene Dietrich. The styles have a touch of the 1940s.  For example, I created a shootie on a round toe with double platform in a soft crocodile print, and in suede. The color palette is a deep nuance of grey, chestnut and navy. 
Three shoe styles every woman should own: Jeweled or metallic ballets. A sexy, open sandal. The perfect pair of black pumps.
Shoe trends for fall: Color-blocking; berry hues and jewel tones; a touch of sass, with buckles and buttons
What women should keep in mind when choosing the perfect shoe: Lasting style; functionality (how many outfits they work with in your closet); staying true to your personal style — choosing what works for you instead of what fashion is “in”.
Her favorite shoe right now: A biker boot — a high heel in soft croc-stamped leather that I created for Via Spiga’s fall collection 

 

20 QUESTIONS WITH PAOLA VENTURI

1. My go-to outfit: relaxed and elegant

2. Guilty pleasure: none

3. My theme song would be: bossanova

4. Beauty products I can’t live without: glossy transparent lipstick

5. I get my hair cut by: an Italian hairdresser in Milan

6. Hidden talent: Not my own talent, but the best unknown talents are Fausto and Stefania — the two chefs at Torriana (my favorite restaurant in the world!).

7. Must-see TV: I don’t own a TV.

8. Best advice my mother ever gave me: Do not get married!

9. I’m now reading: Open Secret version of Rumi by J. Moyne and C. Barks

10. My perfect meal: spaghetti with clams and then … ice cream.

11. My best vacation: in a small island in Sicily

12. I wish I had more time to: play tennis

13. I can’t start my day without: my croissant and coffee

14. Favorite jeans: I never wear jeans

15. Must-have accessory: a 100mm strappy sandal from Via Spiga

16. Favorite designer: Dries Van Noten

17. Best bargain I’ve ever scored: a Lanvin evening dress from the 1940s

18. Favorite movie: Being Julia directed by Istvan Szabo

19. Favorite color: Right now, orange

20. Signature scent: Chipre rouge by Serge Lutens

Related posts:

  1. The dish with … Carol Mier, fashion designer
  2. The dish with … Nancy Sagar
  3. The dish with … Tricia Hoke, fashion designer
  4. Top 10 – Shoes and boots to fall for
  5. The dish with … Tran Wills, owner, The Fabric Lab

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