Canvassing Shoes

I travelled around India with a backpack and a friend,trying to discover what India meant to me.

Tell us about your first store in India,about the brilliant design of its interiors and the collectibles youve found to fill it with.

The store at DLF Emporio Mall,Delhi is a mix of techniques that I have put together with the architect Eric Clough of 212box in New York. I was keen to put an emphasis on detail,as India is not a black-and-white country. The level of quality and craftsmanship in India needed a store reflecting the nature of the country.

Its especially interesting that travel is important to the worlds greatest shoe designer. Theres something poetic about always being on your feet and on the go8230;

My favourite holiday destination is wherever there is a possibility to see archaeology,a fair amount of museums,weather that permits you to see interesting nature and allows you to lie down for a few days by the sea. I could not consider a place perfect if you could only lie under a coconut,or stay in a big city,as these can be too stuffy and overwhelming after a while. However,combining the two,in general,can make a very interesting and enjoyable trip.

You were here last year scouting for a location,but you seemed to have also enjoyed being the toast of the party circuit in India. Have you made many friends in this country?

I have always had good friends from India. A few remain in India,and a few live abroad. There is a huge part of the Indian character that I love. So,it is very easy for me to communicate in a very intimate way with my Indian friends.

What do you make of the Asiafication of luxury? Luxury labels are focusing so much on making money from newer countries,theyve lost the elusive and exclusive appeal. What is your opinion of shifting markets?

Im afraid to say that I do not consider these places as simply new markets; the first thing I do see is whether I get to like the place. I consider India a great place to be rather than a new market. This is definitely more important to me than it being just a new market.

You enjoy trapeze flying and watching showgirls what is a constant source of inspiration for you?

Laughs I guess I like the idea that my shoes are flying everywhere.

What are your favourite fabrics/ materials to make shoes from?

I would have a hard time if I had to work without leather as it can really mould the finished product to flatter the legs. However I do like to work with a combination of fabrics and textiles. I try never to limit myself to any form of fabric or decoration,as you never know what will be a great element for a shoe.

Your red soles are the most powerful icons of luxury today its the perfect way to show off to those in the know. How did you come up with the idea? They werent new,Louis XIV had red heeled dancing shoes and Valentino made a few red-soled shoes in 19698230;

I had sketched a lot of shoes in vivid and bright colours and when the prototype arrived,I realised that it was not as strong as my original sketch. And fortunately,it was a happy accident that the girl who was trying on the shoes was painting her nails at the time. So I borrowed her nail polish and covered the sole. Through this the prototype become exactly like my drawing so I become faithful to my drawing. And since this happy accident,the red sole become my trademark and a sign of recognition for the women all around the world.

A quality shoe is not about showing; its about knowing. Are expensive shoes still an understated luxury for women,or are shoes the new handbag now?

I dont have an answer for this question; I havent ever asked this to myself. Plus,since Im not a woman,I cannot answer why a woman buys one item as opposed to another.

Which is your favourite pair of shoes?

My favourite pair keeps changing. I have a vast collection of sneakers,as their design is very technology-based,which is not an idea I am into. I own a lot of shoes by Dries Van Noten,English brogues and probably the biggest collection in the world of Havaianas.

Your first store opened in Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau in Paris 20 years ago,and you still own every store that has your name. How do you play the business?

To grow organically,and to realise when the time is right to do something of this nature. The expansion of my brand is natural. We try to see where our customer is coming from and if we need to fill the need in their country. I go with the flow with eyes and ears open.