Every day I awake to new followers on
Twitter and marvel at how it has made our world a whole lot smaller and has brought forth some of my most amazing connections. This is the case with Shoe Designer
Adriano Diamante. I noticed her following me on Twitter and I immediately had to check out her site! and to my pure delight it was full of amazing shoes and handbags. All dripping in Swarovski crystals, sparkle and GLAM.
She is a New York based shoe designer and the Diamante collection is definitely one to behold. The collection has all the elements I love; the pieces are unique, can be customized, vibrant, bold and STUNNING!
In her own words "In a world where it's easy to shine while walking among the many bright lights, It only those who find a way to shine in the dark, that truly make an everlasting impression. This is my inspiration"
I had an opportunity to chat with Adriano recently about her collection.
The Designer
LG: Where did your inspiration come from to start designing shoes with Swarovski elements?
AD: I always tell people my inspiration came from the
simple desire to have something that did not already exist. I was in need of a sapphire blue stiletto for
an event I was attending last summer. I wanted something that sparkled! After
an extensive search for the perfect shoe, with absolutely no
luck; I decided to design my own. I went through a lot of sketches before I
decided on the British Beauty design.
The first British Beauty was done in Australian crystals, I still have
that pair for keepsakes…lol, but the crystals did not quite catch the light as
I had envisioned. After visiting the Swarovski in London, I quickly knew the
shoe had to be done with Swarovski.
LG: What was your first design? When did you start your creative journey?
AD: My first design was the British Beauty which I
designed in April of 2011. Once each one of my designs is sketched; I then
digitally create the stone placement on a computer program. A lot goes in to
creating an Adriano Diamante shoe. Each sketched is scanned, and then I break
it down into Swarovski stones. Each stone placement is extremely important in
creating the design. I put a lot of thought into where each stone should be
placed to assure the shoe has a continuous flow when the light hits it.
LG: Are the majority of your designs platform heels? Why did you choose this style?
AD: A majority of my designs are done on the closed
toe platform because this is a very popular shoe shape. I chose this design
because the shoe style gives me plenty of room for my creativity to flow with
the Swarovski stones. However, I do offer sport shoes, low wedges and some peep
toes when custom ordered. I love love the higher heels. I even offer a 7 inch
platform in my collection. However the lower heels are just as fun to design.
LG: Are your shoes made to order? what is the availability?
AD: Yes, my shoes are made to order. Mainly because
most of my shoes are purchased for a specific event or dress, so I get a lot of
request to change colors in the design. I love for women to feel they have
something made specifically with them and their event in mind. I communicate
back and forth with each customer assuring the perfect fit and color for their
shoe. I carry them through the whole process until the piece is complete. I
keep different shoe molds stocked, so once ordered it is just a matter of
sketching and digitally creating the stone placement. Once that is done the
shoe can be completed in 7 days.
LG: Who / What inspires you?
AD: I take inspiration from everything around me,
but mainly nature. I love the mixture of earth tones. A scenic view such as a
Dubai sunrise can set off my creativity.
Even smells can inspire me, for example when I smell lavender I run to
sketch a design using different tones of purples.
LG: If you could give women one piece of style advice , when it comes to shoes what would it be?
AD: When
it comes to picking a shoe always dare to be bold. I love shoes that make a
statement. A bold shoe can completely change the look of an outfit, but it can
also change the attitude of a person as well.
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