''Giuseppe for Rita Ora'' an exclusive new footwear collection by Giuseppe Zanotti and Rita Ora

“It was a dream and pure joy to work with Giuseppe,” says Rita. “Like any creative endeavor, it’s fundamental to partner with someone who shares the same vision and energy. Giuseppe’s imagination is boundless and together we created shoes that embody self-empowerment, self-love and just the right amount of grit.” “Music has always been at the center of my design ethos,” says Giuseppe, who, over the years, has collaborated with some of the world’s most acclaimed artists for world tours (Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Rihanna), album covers (Cardi B, Beyoncé) and even special branded collections, including most recently Jennifer Lopez and Zayn Malik. “The music world is an endless source of inspiration and Rita, with her extraordinary mix of sensuality and strength, proved to be a very powerful muse.” Longtime admires of each other (Rita Ora wore custom Giuseppe Zanotti for her most recent British tour), the two took their admiration to the next level when they met last year in New York City and began work on the new collection. “I wanted to create a series of styles that represents the three different facets of Rita: glamour, effortlessness and cool,” says Giuseppe.

The result: a fashion-forward collection that features both knock-out stiletto sandals, to-the-knee, peep-toe boots as well as modern slip-on flats. Crafted in luxurious materials, like polished leather, textured suede and rich silk-satin, the defining element of the collection is the Cuban Link chain. Channeling hip hop culture and Giuseppe’s longstanding affinity for jewel-like details, the link motif cast in a glossy yellow gold is used both as a design embellishment as well as transformed into a striking, unexpected heel. “The chain is my favorite type of jewelry,” says Giuseppe. “Its design is immediate, graphic and strong and it resonated perfectly with Rita’s personality and style.” Available in select Giuseppe Zanotti stores worldwide and on giuseppezanotti.com, the limited edition collection is also available in top luxury department stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstrom. To celebrate the collection, Giuseppe Zanotti and Rita Ora will host a launch event at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills on January 24th, 2019.