The real luxury of shoes lies in the pleasure of slipping them on

After working alongside his father, the decorated Italian shoe designer Sergio Rossi, Gianvito Rossi decided to strike out on his own in 2006. Since then, he has made a name for himself in the industry with his glamorius, sensual shoes that incorporate imaginative but not over-the-top detailing, like punched.out straps and elongated backs. Despite his ongoing collaboration with CFDA winner Joseph Altuzarra, producing stiletto ankle boots and pointed-toe pumps, Rossi cares less about the runway impact of his shoes than their form and functionality. 'We are drawn to Gianvito's designs because they are quietly alluring, feminine and strong. He's incredibly detail oriented and perfects the shape (while) always being mindful of a woman's silhouette,' Tomoko Ogura, senior fashion director at Barneys, told BoF. As such, his shoes are practical and designed to lengthen legs and minimize foot pain, a selling point that has resonated with costumers, Gianvito Rossi flagship stores are dotted around the world in Hong Kong, Milan and Paris, and he also has launched a collection of calf leather and canvas sneakers for men.