I met Frédérick Foubet Marzorati a few years ago at Vincent’s art opening and we immediately bonded when he told me he was a shoe designer. I regaled him with stories of my shoe selling past in Bergdorf’s ladies shoe department. Fred just opened the chicest shoe boutique in the Marais.
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born and grew up in Cannes on the French Riviera.
What was the first pair of shoes you bought on your own?
A pair of gray velvet derbies with my first salary, I was 16 years old.
When did you know you wanted to be a shoe designer and what schooling did you have?
It was during my studies at Studio Berçot, after the intervention of a freelance shoe designer. Before this, I was thinking that designing only shoes was impossible.
I studied sewing during four years in Cannes and then design during two years at Studio Berçot in Paris.
What was your first shoe design job and what was the first pair of shoes you designed?
It was at Stéphane Kélian in 2005. I worked on the summer 2006 collection and designed different models but I specially remember a pair of bi-color red & blue stilettos.
Which shoe designers do you admire and which have influenced you?
I admire the talent of André Perugia and the one of Manolo Blahnik, I think they have influenced me both.
If you could design a pair of shoes for anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what kind of shoe would you design?
A pair of TITOP BOOT for Vanessa Paradis, a pair of JOSETTE for Kylie Minogue, a pair of MAGUY for Dita Von Teese and a pair of TITINE for my Mother.
Please tell us about your new shop and your spring 2014 collection.
It is a little boudoir situated in the 3rd arr. in “Le Marais”. I wanted a boutique like a salon/private lounge where the guest can try quietly the models or order special versions of them. There are two armchairs from Le Corbusier with a table by Eileen Gray on one side and wallpaper from the artists “Lemesle & Roubaud” on the other.
The new collection is really colorful with coral, yellow and green and I collaborate with “atelier de création textile” for the graphic print “Wax” inspired by Nathalie du Pasquier (Memphis).
What is your design process like from start to finish.
I start with the forms and the heels made in a special factory in France.
I design the different models, about 15 per collection with a classic one, depending the inspiration of the season. The inspiration is from everything from a vintage pair of shoes, an object, to an art exhibit or architecture.
I choose the skins and the colors and give two versions of each model to the factory for the presentation of the collection. Finally I make a selection of them for the boutique.
What makes a great pair of shoes?
The design is not everything, the comfort is the most important. A great pair of shoes makes you feel the most beautiful even you are not dressed.
What do you prefer about Paris?
The history of Paris is powerful, you feel it most of the time with the monuments, the art…
I also like all the different people from everywhere in France, or all over the world, you can meet. It is very enriching!
Fred Marzo Boutique
11 rue de Thorigny, 75003
Metro: Saint Sebastien-Froissart
Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday 2PM to 7PM
Tuesday, Wednesday by appointment
Tel. +33142783724
http://fredmarzo.com
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
