When a limited-edition shoe collaboration drops, there’s a timely buzz in culture. Today, that buzz is coming from Giuseppe Zanotti and musician Swae Lee. “Giuseppe for Swae Lee” is the latest shoe line for the Italian designer, co-created by the rapper, singer, and composer.
“What drew me to Swae Lee is his fearlessness,” said Zanotti. “He’s able to straddle different worlds—tough and soft; luxury and street—effortlessly and naturally. He has an unbelievably authentic touch.”
Over the years, Mississippi native Swae Lee—known as half of the rap duo Rae Sremmurd, alongside his brother Slim Jxmmi—has exuded his love for Giuseppe Zanotti shoes. (In his very first song, We, the singer drops the name “Giuseppe.”) And last year, the duo appeared in Giuseppe Zanotti’s campaign for the Blabber sneaker.
“What got me excited about working with Giuseppe was his openness to truly collaborate on something fresh and new,” said Swae Lee. “These shoes really reflect my creative POV, my eclectic approach to style, and the idea that fashion doesn’t have to follow any rules.”
“Giuseppe for Swae Lee” infuses some of the singer’s trademarks with the shoe brand’s signature styles of boots, loafers, and sneakers. Special for the new collection, as well, is a new logo for the brand—an oversized “GZ” in gold.
“We met in Paris and I was really impressed by this young, talented, and spontaneous guy. The collaboration was the natural consequence,” Zanotti told us. “Our initial goal was to talk to his generation, but we ended up talking to many more. He loves flowers, so we decided this would have been the fil rouge of the collection.”
Block heeled boots in black and pink (Lee’s favorite color) show “GZ” nestled among floral motifs, while others in silver glitter show embroidered streaks of blue lightning; loafers are luxe in suede, featuring a not-to-miss layered crystal embellishment on top; and Blabber sneakers, featuring both high and low tops styles, double laces, and the “GZ” logo and floral motif designs on the side.