Extreme Dream - from Symbolism to the 70s

* Material: Courtesy of The Valiram Group

THE new shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti tell an underground story, create poetic abstraction, invent new rhythmical “jazzy” steps, play on underground, but most of all invent a new happy decadence. It is a new form of Symbolism, of abstract representations as it was in visual arts from 1885 to 1910.

Symbolism was about avoiding objectivity in favour of the subjective, of ambiguous and powerful symbols. Primitive. Among the artists associated in the Movement there were Odilon Redon, Gustave Moreau, Gustav Klimt, Fernand Khnopff. The new shoes addiction is, in that sense, a very modern identification, plus an accent of happiness, of constant play, with a form of exaggerated culture. To play with the colors, with the shapes, to be amused by the abstraction. The new memory is the wake-up, the transformation of a woman who lives the 70s with a constant poetic licence. The real memories are a part of the graphics, prints, volumes, but especially colors. All these elements are re-studied, re-formulated and exude a light mood less intrusive, more subdued. After all, this woman aims to be comfortable, at ease and to move with a “contemporary step”.

There is not only the high heel, the stiletto, but there is also a flat basic version, as well as an exaggerated one with colors ranging from  water green to deep blue, to cobalt, also yellow. And there are “pastiches” of green, which give the idea of water. The textures include chamois, which is prevailing. Then there is varnish, with an almost technological atmosphere with yellow, turquoise, fuchsia, which are combined or separate. Then there is graphic animalier and embroideries. Now even the platform is softened, but the heel is hard, very graphic. A platform becomes a base for wood, flowers and embroideries. The styling is always the same but with muted color mixtures and contrasts.

As for the jewels, which “dress” from the neck to the heels and necklaces made for the neck  but also dress the body,  is more silver and nickels - old, chromed, silvered, palladium, coordinated with black lacquer, leather, silk with a baroque feeling.

Sneakers are a come-back to reality as an urban product which crosses every group. They have become the uniform of human kind. T-shirt, jeans, sneakers. Every season Giuseppe Zanotti introduces the same styles, but with different colors and materials. After jeans, sneaker is the real invention of costume.

 

Through this collection, bags play with ornamental elements like fastenings, handles, metallic stories, a precious mood and proportions, from the small jewelled clutches to the maxi bags. A complete bag-stage, a new identification story: from the Symbolism to the 70s. Bags are also a form of culture, a message and a frivolous obsession!