A pair of Ruthie Davis heels
Ruthie Davis never met a metallic or stud detail she didn’t like. And it would appear she’s not alone since the unapologetically sexy, high-octane heels that are the sparky American shoe designer’s speciality have already been spotted on the feet of Lady Gaga, Jessica Chastain, Penelope Cruz and Beyonce amongst others.
Beyonce wearing a pair of Ruthie Davis shoes
It probably helps that her designs are all made in Italy, a pre-requisite for any serious shoe obsessive, and a quality that’s now increasingly rare, and that Ruthie lists ‘cool hunter’ as one of her jobs prior to launching her eponymous line in 2006. Intrigued by her ability to walk in five inch skyscrapers and her penchant for using a different coloured sole each season, we sat Ruthie down to find out (and to get a sneak peek at her Resort S/S 13 collection)…
Ruthie Davis
Farfetch: Why shoes?
Ruthie Davis: For me,
shoes are the foundation of a woman. A girl's
shoes are like her heart and soul and give her the confidence to go out and live life.
Have you always been obsessed with them?
I've been obsessed with
shoes since my mother bought me my first pair of red patent Mary-Janes. I refused to take them off when it was time to pay for them, and kept them on through dinner, and when I went to bed that night. I'd say an obsession was certainly born that day. But I think it was my first job at Reebok as a ‘Cool Hunter’ when I realised I could make
shoes my career and the dream to someday have my own shoe brand began to take form.
What’s your favourite pair you’ve ever owned?
This is like a trick question for me because my favourite pair of
shoes tends to be the newest pair!
Why did you choose to put a different colour on the sole of your shoes each season?
My designs are ever-changing and I like to switch things up. If I'm feeling a certain colour - sometimes I want to see that colour on the sole of the shoe.
Do you have any top tips about wearing heels?
Yes - don't be afraid to wear them! If you have high quality Italian made heels, they should not be painful. My top tip is sizing: women tend to size their feet too small. Don't be afraid to size up! It's not like a pair of jeans. You can't squeeze into
shoes like you can jeans. The foot looks and feels better when the shoe is a little looser. I'm technically a size 38 but I always wear a size 39 and sometimes even a 40!
What pair of shoes should every girl own?
I think every girl should own a low-cut bootie in black or a neutral tone that can transition effortlessly from Summer to Winter. They're completely versatile and couple easily with jeans, shorts, or a dress. I'm a big believer in investments paying off.
What was the inspiration or theme behind your resort S/S 13 collection?
My Resort 2013 is hot palette - a Palm Springs mirage, a desert moon in a midnight sky, or an afternoon in St.Tropez rich with warm, yellow-golds and aqua blues.
Some pieces from the Ruthie Davis S/S 13 Resort collection
The Ruthie Davis Resort S/S 13 will be available from Box Boutique on farfetch.com very soon. Watch this space!