The charm of Kirkwood creations cannot be denied: many celebrities - Kate Bosworth, Leighton Meester, Sienna Miller, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen - are fans. The most popular style? Suede and python spider-web cut-out sandals, with stiletto heels.
Rihanna wore ankle booties designed by Kirkwood (from Rodarte F/W 2009 collection) in her video Russian Roulette. Sarah Jessica Parker wore a pair of custom-made sandals, all covered in Swarovski crystals, at the 2010 Academy Awards ceremony. The sandals, made by Kirkwood in Bologna, Italy, were delivered to the journalist Jasmine Bertusi, who documented their journey to Los Angeles.
"I'm obsessive. In my work it's a good thing, but the people that work with me are definitely blessed with a lot of patience".
The greatest dream
"Shops, all over the world. And to die happy. And...well, world domination."
Style keywords
"Structural, feminine, attention to detail."
Personal style
"Not worthing talking about."
In 2007 he won the third edition of Who Is On Next (accessories section), a competition created by Alta Roma in collaboration with Vogue Italia.
In 2008 he won the Swarovski Emerging Talent Award for accessories at the British Fashion Awards, and the Footwear News Designer of the Year award.
In January 2010 he received a nomination for the first edition of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.
In 2008 he was appointed creative director of the accessories and bag lines at Pollini, the historical Italian brand of leather goods. He designed a pair of sculptural shoes for a special project of Alta Roma. They were inspired to the Cavour writing desk, designed by Carlo Mollino for Zanotta in 1949.
From January to March 2010, the Parisian store Printemps celebrated the movie Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton. A special creation by Kirkwood was featured in a window display - shoes with black and white checked heels, decorated by rose shoots, a tiny China tea set, a key and a pocket watch.
In 2010, in occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Browns store in London, he designed a pair of spray-like paint suede shoes. They have been put up for sale numbered and dated.
Along with Zaha Hadid, Jason Wu and Matthew Williamson, he has designed some jewelry pieces for the Swarovski Atelier S/S 2010 collection.
