The First Lady of Shoes Jane Weitzman Talks Her Book, Art & Sole + Gives Advice on Love! [Giveaway Closed]

Source: Paul Morigi. Getty Images North America 

It isn't every day that you get to speak to an incredible lady like Jane Gershon Weitzman, wife of shoe icon and fashion legend, Stuart Weitzman. Jane is a woman of many passions such as art, shoes, and philanthropy. When she took on the role of Executive Vice President at Stuart Weitzman, she made it her business to create astonishing window displays in the brand’s first retail store on Madsion Avenue. She collaborated with different artists to create phenomenal shoes that now fill the pages of her first book, Art & Sole.

I got the chance to chat with Jane about her book, shoes, and of course about love – because when we’re talking shoes, we’re also talking love. Check out the interview below and enter for a chance to win your very own copy of Art & Sole!

Jane + Stuart. Source: Paul Morigi. Getty Images North America 

Sabrina Dunn: First, tell me about your beautiful book Art & Sole, what gave you the idea to create it? 

Jane Gershon Weitzman: Well after we sold our company and we no longer did the window displays, so many people kept asking, “Where are the shoes? The art shoes!” I said, “so many people are asking, maybe I’ll put together a book and help raise money for different charities!” So I’ve been going around the country speaking at all kinds of different groups, all the profits from the book go directly to these different charities. I’ve spoken for breast cancer awareness, AIDS, UJA [United Jewish Appeal], and many other groups and charities. As long as it’s something I believe in, I am happy to do it.

SD: Why do you think shoes are such an important component to an outfit? 

JGW: I really think that shoes can make and change an outfit. If you go out in the morning to work in a simple black dress with any kind of flat, maybe a sweater, and you have to go to something that afternoon where you can’t go home to change, you can take that same black dress and put on a dressy wrap our jacket. Then add a great pair of heels and you have a totally different look. If you wear a simple dress you can always wear fabulous shoes.

SD: On Sex and The City, Carrie Bradshaw often turned to shoes when her love life was in shambles... what do you think, can a great pair of shoes heal a broken heart? 

JGW: [Laughing] Well that’s really more on television, but I do think when women have problems or they’re unhappy they go shoe shopping. It cheers them up. I think the show changed a lot of that. Shoes were already on the map, but I think that show made shoes much more prominent.

SD: Stilettos, wedges, kitten heels, which are best to wear on a first date? 

JGW: First it depends on where you go. If you’re going to dinner, I think women look wonderful in a high heel. Some heels have gotten so high that it’s gotten ridiculous! I think some women look like they’re about to fall over. [Laughing] It’s really not good for your feet to wear something over a certain height, especially if you’re walking in them.

SD: What's the best advice you've ever gotten about love?

JGW: You have to look ahead when you fall in love. Who you fall in love with is very important, because you become like the person you’re with.

SD: I know that you’re a book lover and used to be a buyer for bookstores. Can we expect any more books from you in the future? 

JGW: I do love books! Before my first daughter was born I was a manager and buyer for different bookstores. Hmm, I’m still traveling and speaking for this book, so right now I’m not thinking in that direction.

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Want to win your very own copy of Jane’s book Art & Sole? It's seriously the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for ANY shoe lover.

Leave your name and email address in the comments below to enter!

This giveaway is now closed.