Stuart Weitzman Celebrates 25 Years with the 'Heritage' Heel

2011 has been a big year for Stuart Weitzman. For Vancouverites, it's meant two new flagship stores in the city--one in Pacific Centre, one in Oakridge. For the company, it's meant celebrating the 25th anniversary of the brand while continuing to churn out well-designed shoes of great quality.

For the latter milestone, Weitzman has resurrected a shoe design patented by his father, Seymour Weitzman, in 1936. The 'Heritage' heel ($415) combines a crisscross strap design with on-trend details: a platform heel, the colour blue and python. The result is a shoe that's as enduring as it is cutting edge, a high heel that looks like it boasts the comfort of a ballroom shoe.

In honour of this special occasion, I had the opportunity to ask Mr. Weitzman himself a few questions about the 'Heritage' heel.

The 'Heritage' shoe is based on a patented design created by your father. What prompted him or inspired him to design such a shoe? What was his design process like?

My father was 22 years old when he patented his design 80 years ago, so personal experience of his process, I obviously did not have. Sketches I have of his designs clearly show a love of the sexy shoe, and an inclination to assure proper fit.

Can you talk a bit about the design details that give the Heritage shoe--which is based on a very classic design--a contemporary edge?

When I first found my father’s patent, I knew that the shoe would look modern and sexy by adding an aggressive platform. Whereas the original shoe was made in crepe, the current one is in a beautiful python design, trimmed with a mini lizard.

'Heritage' shoe launch aside, how will you personally be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Stuart Weitzman the brand?

By opening a fabulous flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York in September.

Interested in buying this shoe or other Stuart Weitzman heels? It just got a bit easier yesterday with the launch of the Canadian Stuart Weitzman website. Happy shopping!