CAZABAT STEPS IN STYLE
Cazabat steps in style and always has. From the electric nights of early-2000s New York to the refined ateliers of Paris, the brand walks a line between rock ’n’ roll glamour and artisan elegance. Founded by photographer-turned-designer Jean-Michel Cazabat, this Paris-rooted, Italian-crafted label redefines what it means to make shoes that seduce, support, and last. Now reborn with a couture spirit and a Mediterranean soul, CAZABAT enters a new era: bolder, brighter, and built to outlive trends.
IRK: Cazabat was born in New York and moved to Paris in 2024. How has this trans-Atlantic journey shaped the brand’s identity?
Jean-Michel: Relocating to France has infused the label with a more couture mindset and a deeper relationship with craftsmanship. In New York, our focus was on festive, party-ready footwear. However, in Paris, we’ve embraced the artisan’s touch, which feels closer to my own evolution as a designer.
Two expressions of Cazabat’s “dopamine shoes” ethos: bold textures or clean lines, both designed to seduce through joy and uplift. Courtesy of Cazabat.
IRK: Your creations are often called “dopamine shoes.” What does that term mean to you, and how does it show up in your work?
Jean-Michel: When a woman feels seduced by her shoes, she can seduce the world. My designs radiate energy and joy, in fact, they act like a natural shot of happiness. No need for caffeine or vitamin C: the shoes do the uplifting. Ultimately, it’s about igniting confidence through color and shape.
IRK: Craftsmanship and comfort are central to your vision. How do they guide your design process?
Jean-Michel: I love women too much to make them suffer. Comfort is non-negotiable, so I’ll remake a prototype three or ten times until it feels perfect. In other words, design must serve comfort, not the other way around. Moreover, a shoe that hurts is a shoe that fails.
Cazabat’s craftsmanship fuses bold materials with timeless form, whether in wild textures or classic lines. Courtesy of CAZABAT
IRK: Your shoes are made in Italy with premium materials. How do you choose them, and what role do they play?
Jean-Michel: Top-tier components are essential to durability, which is the truest form of sustainability. Therefore, we source leathers, heels, lasts, everything from the finest suppliers in Italy and France. Besides, the quality you feel begins at the raw material level.
IRK: Your palettes and textures are famously vibrant. Where do those colors come from?
Jean-Michel: I’m Mediterranean at heart. Consequently, sundrenched landscapes, Latin culture, and powerful women all feed my palette. In the end, the goal is to catch the light and project happiness. Even so, every hue must feel personal and wearable.
IRK: How do you balance a couture spirit with contemporary fashion demands?
Jean-Michel: Timelessness is the bridge. We design pieces meant to outlive trends modern yet indémodables. That way, they speak both to couture lovers and to today’s consumer. After all, fashion is fleeting, but elegance endures.
Timeless silhouettes, updated with texture: these sculptural mules by Jean-Michel Cazabat blur the line between modern sensuality and lasting elegance. Courtesy of CAZABAT
IRK: Many celebrities have worn Cazabat. What has that visibility meant for the brand?
Jean-Michel: From day one, it gave us legitimacy in the music and film industries. As a result, we created an aura around the brand that still attracts new generations. To illustrate, cultural credibility opens doors you can’t buy.
IRK: You co-founded the vegan label Aera. How has that shaped your view of sustainability at Cazabat?
Jean-Michel: Aera taught me there are many paths. Nevertheless, for Cazabat, the most sustainable route is still ultra-durable, high-quality materials that extend a shoe’s life cycle, even beyond the vegan debate.
IRK: What innovations are you exploring next?
Jean-Michel: We’re teaming up with local artisans who specialize in upcycled craft. For example, our AW24 capsule will include denim woven on an artisanal loom by a Paris-based couture partner. Thus, we prove R&D and heritage can coexist.
IRK: Where do you see Cazabat in the next few years? Any new categories on the horizon?
Jean-Michel: Our priority is international growth, especially in the U.S. and Middle East. For now, we remain shoe specialists focus is our strength. Eventually, other categories may follow.
IRK: How will you scale without losing the artisanal soul?
Jean-Michel: By growing organically, one step at a time. Most importantly, we’ll keep a cobbler’s mindset at the core of everything we do.
IRK: Where can people buy Cazabat today, and what’s next on the retail front?
Jean-Michel: You’ll find us at Printemps Haussmann in Paris and online at cazabat.paris. Additionally, we plan to open a Paris flagship within the coming year.
In a world of fast fashion and fleeting trends, CAZABAT dares to slow down, craft deeply, and design with intention. Jean-Michel Cazabat’s vision isn’t just about footwear, it’s about movement, meaning, and mood. Whether stepping into a gallery, a party, or the everyday, those who wear the label carry a little boldness with every stride. Because more than just a name, Cazabat steps in style and invites us all to do the same.
Did you enjoy Cazabat steps in style? Discover another stylish brand with our article, C’est Jeanne Bespoke Glovemaking.
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