Meet the Footwear Designer Whose Shoes Beyonce Has Been Photographed in 25 Times

By Suzanne Singer
August 11, 2011

Beyonce & Fergie

Celebs wearing Ruthie Davis shoes: Beyonce at the 2010 Grammy Awards (photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) and Fergie at the 2010 American Music Awards (photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Shoes are a great way to spunk up even the most straightforward ensemble. And when you add metal spikes and neon colors to a pair of endless heels—even to a simple white tee and jeans—there is no way you will be a wallflower.

Ruthie Davis, the queen of the power shoe, certainly isn't. Though you may not know Davis by name just yet, you've certainly seen—and likely worn—her work. Before starting her own shoe collection in 2006, she was the behind-the-scenes mastermind at shoe companies including Reebok, Ugg and Tommy Hilfiger.

Davis, who has been obsessed with shoes since childhood, mixing high-concept fashion with modernism, function and sneaker technology. Her spring shoe collection takes classic shoe styles and infuses them with unexpected touches, from athletic-looking elastic details on an open bootie, to gold metal balls along an insanely high heel, plus metallics, neons and silver spikes on double and sometimes triple platforms.

Here's how she does it.

The Inside Source: What is your first shoe memory?

Ruthie Davis: When I was about two years old, my mother took me to get my first pair of red patent leather mary-jane shoes. I actually remember that rush when I saw the salesman take the shoes out of the box and put them on my feet. Apparently, when he tried to then take them off, there was a baby fashionista tantrum.

But a memory that is even more vivid was when I was in 7th grade and my older sisters had bought me a pair of Korkies platforms. My mother had no idea about them because they were not designed for someone 12 years old. I used to take them with me to school in my backpack. I walked to school and as I got closer, I would switch out my ‘mom approved’ sensible shoes with my beloved platforms.

The Inside Source: How did you turn your childhood love of shoes into a profitable business?

Ruthie Davis: I have always gone after my passion in life. I began drawing shoes when I was in high school, and I had so many shoes in my closet that my father used to tell me, “You’re either going to have to marry rich or get into the shoe business to support your habit.” I chose the latter. I turned my passion into a career, but I also paid my dues. I have an MBA in Entrepreneurship and I worked for large footwear brands to gain needed experience before setting out on my own.

Ruthie Davis

Ruthie Davis footwear

The Inside Source: How did your experience at companies like Reebok, Ugg and Tommy Hilfiger impact you when you launched your business?

Ruthie Davis: I have always liked the whole package, where design and marketing come together. When I design shoes, I am designing a brand—a concept that has a marketing plan behind it. In all of my corporate jobs, I did the same thing I do today with my own brand. I created an innovative design that has a specific consumer target in mind with a story or point of view behind it is marketable. For example, at Reebok I added more fashion and bright colors to the Reebok Classic sneakers that made them hook up with what people were wearing in apparel. I added the sizzle to the steak. With Ruthie Davis, I take the excitement and colors and tech of an athletic shoe and combine it with the glamour, high fashion, and sexiness of a dress shoe to make a new type of shoe with lots of sizzle!

The Inside Source: The shoes you design are very technologically advanced. How did you come to incorporate that into your styles?

Ruthie Davis: I always wondered why shoes were in such a time warp. It seems like cars and buildings and athletic shoes keep getting more high tech and sleek and innovative, while shoes seemed to stay the same. This is why I wanted to make my own shoe brand—one that would be more futuristic and would incorporate fresh and new ideas. I also am a woman who is wearing the shoes and I love really high shoes, but I also want to be comfortable. So, I make sure my shoes are technologically advanced in this regard—six-inch heels that don’t hurt!

Ruthie Davis

The Inside Source: How do you manage to keep up with the ever-changing fashion trends while staying true to your original vision for your shoe line?

Ruthie Davis: I am very aware of what is happening in the fashion trends, but I also have my own brand vision that I will always stay true to.

The Inside Source: When did you introduce bags into your line?

Ruthie Davis: I launched handbags, also made in Italy, for Spring 2011. The handbags are like the accessory to the shoe. I love a matching shoe and handbag.

Ruthie Davis

The Inside Source: Your shoes are very theatrical and statement making. Do any celebrities and/or musicians rock your styles?

Ruthie Davis: Yes! Beyonce has been photographed in my shoes close to 25 times... Fergie, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Nicole Scherzinger, the list goes on... I am really excited about a new following I have of young Hollywood starlets rocking my shoes such as Ashley Green, Brittany Snow, Chelsea Kane, Jamie Chung, Ashley Tisdale, Kelly Osborne, Olivia Wilde and many, many more.

Ruthie Davis

The Inside Source: What inspires you?

Ruthie Davis: I’m inspired by modern architecture. In fact I used to think I wanted to be an architect, and now, when I design shoes, I often think of them as little buildings. I am also really into sports and inspired by high tech aerodynamic athletic gear with the pops of bright neon color or racing stripes. I also love action heroines chock full of sexy girl power.

The Inside Source: What themes or trends inspired you for your latest collection?

Ruthie Davis: For fall 2011, my theme is 3-D Animation Rebel Elegance. My inspiration is Angelina Jolie as "Salt" or a female spymaster. A sleek and aerodynamic minimalism juxtaposed with 3-D animation effects like in the movie "Avatar".

The Inside Source: Do you shop on eBay?

Ruthie Davis: Yes—not as often as I would like because I just don’t have time.

The Inside Source: What do you like to search for?

Ruthie Davis: I’m obsessed with Mid-Century Modern furniture and interior items.

The Inside Source: Do you have a favorite eBay purchase?

Ruthie Davis: An Eames chair.

See the modern furniture shoe designer Ruthie Davis is eyeing on eBay:

Roll over items for details

New Eames Era Womb Lounge Chair & Ottoman Egg

(buy it now price, $608.13)

New Mid Century Modern Nelson Platform Bench Chair

(buy it now price, $169)

New Mid Century Modern Set of 2 Arm Chairs

(buy it now price, $199.99 )

Modern Mid Century Chrome Leather Chair

(buy it now price, $210)

Century Modern Vintage Bench

(buy it now price, $400)

New Bertoia Style Wire Counter Stool

(buy it now price, $655 )

Mid Century Modern Chrome Marble Pedestal

(buy it now price, $875)

New Mid Century Modern Black Marble Oval Dining Table

(buy it now price, $895 )

Mid Century Modern Sofa

(buy it now price, $1,295 )

New Mid Century Modern Black Leather Chair

(buy it now price, $1,050)

Meet the Footwear Designer Whose Shoes Beyonce Has Been Photographed in 25 Times

1. New Eames Era Womb Lounge Chair & Ottoman Egg: “Love the soft silhouette and futuristic feel of this chair."

2. New Mid Century Modern Nelson Platform Bench Chair: “Very into the crisp silhouette with clean lines with the exposed hardware— reminds me of some of my shoe designs!”

3. New Mid Century Modern Set of 2 Arm Chairs: “The base and legs of these chairs are very striking—reminds me of the construction of an electrical tower.”

4. Modern Mid Century Chrome Leather Chair: “Sleek and smooth—love the silver arcs used to help form the base of the chair. Easy to add these to any room!”

5. New Mid Century Modern Black Marble Oval Dining Table: “The crisscross steel legs definitely catch my eye—such a cool modern table for a small dining room or kitchen.”

6. Century Modern Vintage Bench: “The white soft square cushions on the black base are stunning—super cool piece for the entry way.”

7. Mid Century Modern Chrome Marble Pedestal: “Such a simple, edgy yet elegant piece—perfect piece to add a little modernism into a small apartment or empty corner space. And what better to display on top than shoes!”

8. Mid Century Modern Sofa: “The steel frame of this couch is the perfect detail to help add more of a modern flair. And as I am all about comfort, this is the perfect sofa!”

9. New Bertoia Style Wire Counter Stool: “The woven steel back and frame shouts architecture. My father was in the architecture business and has influenced my work very much. This reminded me of something we would both like.”

10. New Mid Century Modern Black Leather Chair: “Feels very futuristic with added comfort—similar to my fall 2011 line!”

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