Swide Magazine by Dolce&Gabbana

Swide's new series is all about interviewing leading fashion icons to discover what makes them tick. To kick start we tried find out what was lurking in Tabitha Simmons' shoe cupboard!

British born, New York based stylist Tabitha Simmons has some of the fashion world's most coveted style savvy - and now she has her own shoe collection to boot too.

A current fashion director for Vogue™ magazine and a regular contributor to Dazed and Confused and Another Magazine, she collaborates with photographers including Craig McDean, Glen Luchford and Steven Klein and fashion designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Alexander McQueen and Zac Posen.

Swide put its heels on to find out more about fashion's twinkle toes.

Tabitha Simmons' shoe cupboard - New York

YOUR NEW SHOE COLLECTION IS MADE IN ITALY. HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT SOURCING THE ARTISANS AND DO YOU VISIT THE ARTISANS WHEN AT WORK?

It took a long time, in fact years to find the team. Yes, I do take regular trips to visit them.

DANIEL DAY LEWIS FAMOUSLY GAVE UP ACTING FOR A YEAR TO SPEND TIME LEARNING THE TRADE OF A SHOE-MAKER IN FLORENCE. IS THIS SOMETHING YOU WOULD EVER CONSIDER?

No, I like multi-tasking.

YOU’VE WORKED WITH DOLCE & GABBANA STYLING THEIR WOMENSWEAR SHOWS FOR MANY SEASONS NOW. DID THE DESIGNER’S GIVE YOU ANY ADVICE WHEN STARTING YOUR COLLECTION?

Stefano (Gabbana) said “I wish you lots of luck.”

WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOUR FIRST COLLECTION?

Friends and shoes I’ve wanted to wear.

WHAT GIVES YOU SHOE ENVY?

I don’t envy people but I have always loved and collected McQueen shoes over the years.

Tabitha Simmons - spring/summer 2010 shoe collection

O YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST PAIR OF SHOES?

Yes, they were these disgusting round toe brown lace up “Clarks” shoes.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IMAGES OF SURI CRUISE IN MINIATURE HEELS?

My mother would never let me wear high heels as she said they were bad for my feet while they were still growing-but I think Suri looks cute.

DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST INTERVIEW AND WHAT SHOES YOU WERE WEARING?

I was wearing my two- tone “Karen” shoes.

Tabitha Simmons - spring/summer 2010 shoe collection

DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST DATE AND WHAT SHOES YOU WERE WEARING?

My first date was with this guy who played guitar in a local band and I wore a pair of black “London Boy” shoes with studs on the front and spikes coming out.

DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST STYLING JOB AND WHAT SHOES YOU WERE WEARING?

Prada sport slip on flat shoes in black.

Tabitha Simmons - spring/summer 2010 shoe collection

DO YOU PLAN TO WEAR A PAIR OF MCQUEEN’S ARMADILLO SHOES NEXT SEASON?

Yes, if they let me borrow a pair and I am escorted at all times in case I fall.

CAN YOU LET US KNOW/SNEAK PREVIEW AS TO WHAT YOU ARE WORKING ON FOR YOUR FALL 2010 SHOE COLLECTION. WHAT OR WHO IS INSPIRING YOU?

I am going to Italy next week but I am over platforms.

With special thanks to Tabitha Simmons.

See more from Tabitha Simmons current fall/winter 2009 collection and find out stockist infomration at www.tabithasimmons.com.

Kerry Olsen

Source: Tabitha Simmons

Photo Credit: Main - Mikael Jansson

 

TAGS: fashion icon tabitha simmons shoe collection craig mcdean vogue steven klein calvin klein dolce&gabbana zac posen stefano gabbana fashion online magazine style magazine fashion magazine