Inspiration

What inspires you to create shoes?

Winning! I want to win. I want to be the best at what I do. That's what inspires me. Probably my insecurity moves me. You know, I want everybody to wear our shoes. That's what I want.

Why are women so obsessive about shoes?

I think that shoes are, because of the different heel heights, almost like living things. They make you feel different on different days. A pair of high heels can make you feel a certain way, and a pair of flats, sneakers, can make you feel a different way. When I wear a pair of cowboy boots, I feel different than when I wear a regular pair of shoes.

What's it like to be a celebrity to the women who wear your shoes?

I love it, it's great. It's very much like an author. I'm one of those very famous people that no one knows what I look like - until now, of course. It's a great kind of celebrity. The people, also, when they find out it's me, there's a bond because they wear so many of my shoes. It's like a favorite author, nobody knows what he looks like, but you've read his books and you feel like you know him. It's not like a movie star or TV star, it's quite different. It's not as glamorous, but it's very rewarding, and I get it all the time: airplanes, hotels, banks, motor vehicle bureau. It's incredible.