Stuart Weitzman was born
to design shoes. Literally. The Long Island, New York native comes
from a long line of shoe makers and was folding tissue and packing boxes at his
father’s shoe company before he hit junior high.
These days, the Wharton
business school grad oversees the family business, which is now produced in
Spain and has become synonymous with unusual materials and fashion forward
design (not to mention the one-of-a-kind million dollar shoes Weitzman designs
for one lucky Oscar nominee each year).
When he’s not mired in
his shoe biz duties or working on behalf of breast cancer research charities,
the long-married father of two enjoys a rousing game of ping pong and a steady
stream of Diet Coke.
Weitzman expounded on
all this and more when The Fashion Informer tracked him down earlier this week.
So, Stuart…
What's your favorite time of day?
Mornings, I’m anxious to get going.
When
you were 9 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A baseball player.
Who
is your favorite author of all time?
Edgar Allen Poe.
Coffee
or tea?
Diet Coke.
What
did you have for breakfast this morning?
What's breakfast?
What
is your favorite city in the world?
London, England. It feels good
being there with the people, restaurants, theater, the history.
What
would you like to be doing if you weren't a shoe designer?
NY Yankee first baseman.
I
know you're an avid ping pong player - when is the last time you played,
against whom, and who won?
In October with the head tennis pro
at La Manga resort in Murcia, Spain. After his being trumped, I'm
sure he won't play me again.
What
is your all-time favorite work of art?
My daughter Rachel's first CD cover
designed and painted by her.
What
is your favorite holiday?
July 4th, because I'm always reminded
of why we celebrate.
Tell
me about your pet(s).
It's a peve. It has two legs,
and always promises what it can't deliver. Some people call it a
politician.
What
is your favorite mode of communication?
Face to face.
What
magazines, newspapers and websites do you read regularly?
Men's Health and the International
Herald Tribune.
What
never fails to make you cry?
Hearing our national anthem at the
Olympic gold medal ceremony.
When
are you happiest?
6-Love, 6-Love - against a 22-year-old.
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