Pre-owned Giuseppe Zanotti shoes

Giuseppe Zanotti archive models: the house icons and how to date them

Let's be clear from the outset: at Giuseppe Zanotti, there's almost no vintage. The house was founded in 1994 with the acquisition of the Vicini factory, but it doesn't document anything itself before 2004, and no reference museum holds any of its pieces. What we can talk about, however, is perfectly dated: twelve icons, from 2004 to 2013, which the house itself presents and dates. It's a house of jeweled sandals and architectural heels — ten of the twelve icons are sandals.

• The House's Documented Icons2004-2013
• The Only Ones That Are Twenty Years Old2004-2006

Giuseppe Zanotti archive models

• Ring 2004 re-released in waves

  jewel sandal: a crystal-encrusted jewel resting on the toes — the house presents it as the first of its jewel sandals

• Slim 2004 re-released

  a fishbone jewel draped over the arch of the foot, designed on a restaurant tablecloth

• Deco 2004 discontinued

  crocodile embossed leather pump, crystal jewel on the toe — the only pump among the twelve icons

• Choker 2006 discontinued

  evening sandal: a jewel strand naturally draped over the foot, embroidered silk insole

• Adele 2012 discontinued

  a wedge without a heel: the sole extends in a cantilever, no support at the back

• Cruel 2013 declined

  baroque gold leaf on the upper, lateral metallic wing

Recognizing and dating a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti

• The Vicini brand is not an indicator of age: acquired in 1994, it remained active until around 2018 — it is still the manufacturing company.
• "Giuseppe Zanotti Design" is an old marking: the house shortened its signature to "Giuseppe Zanotti" between 2015 and 2016.
• The useful reference point is the model itself: the house publishes the season of its twelve icons, from 2004 to 2013. Apart from these, the names encountered at resellers are seasonal references without heritage status, and we do not assign them any date.
• Pairs from the 1990s exist on the market; they have no model name, collection, or documentation. We can say "1990s" if the pair materially confirms it, nothing more.

What to look for before buying

• Embellishments are set or glued: we inspect each stone, an empty setting is immediately visible on an evening sandal.
• Architectural heels and unsupported wedges are stressed at the junction with the sole: we check their rigidity before any resale, as it is a matter of safety as well as appearance.
• Embroidered silk insoles get dirty and can only be cleaned with caution.
• Metallic finishes abrade at contact points and cannot be restored.

What makes a pair valuable

• One of the twelve icons documented by the house — iconicity largely trumps age at this house.
• The integrity of the crystals and metal parts.
• A healthy, architectural heel, without play.
• A common size, and the original box.

Sources: giuseppezanotti.com (page Heritage, douze icônes datées), WWD et L'Officiel (projet Icons, 2020), interrogations des catalogues du Victoria & Albert Museum et du Metropolitan Museum, 1stDibs. Updated on 8/31/26.