Ruthie Davis is a designer after our own hearts. Not only does she make funky, wearable, amazing footwear, but she is all about girl power and empowering women that wear her shoes. Keep reading to learn more about the designer behind her namesake collection, Ruthie Davis…

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The Shoe Goddess: When did you first become interested in shoes?

Ruthie Davis: My shoe obsession started at the age of two when my mother took me to Lord and Taylor to buy me my first pair of red patent leather Mary Janes. When the salesman went to take them off my feet to put them into the box, he was confronted with the glare of a baby fashionista who was wearing her new shoes out of the store. According to my mother, I apparently wore them to bed that night also.  The love affair began and life was never to be the same.  My father used to say that I either had to marry rich or get into the shoe business to support my habit and I chose the latter. I was obsessed with both athletic shoes and dress shoes. I actually got my first pair of platforms when I was 8 – I have two older sisters and they got them for me unbeknownst to my mother. I used to hide them in my backpack and change into them when I got to school. In high school, I started sketching shoes. I was obsessed.

TSG: Who or what inspires you most?

RD: I love all kinds 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 into sports and have always been very inspired by high tech athletic gear. And, I also love action heroines chock full of sexy girl power. I guess I am a visionary type of person who is always imagining life as a futuristic Bond girl in a one-piece lycra cat-suit living in a modern spacecraft like house with shoes to die for.

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TSG: Can a woman ever have too many shoes?

RD: Yes – a woman totally can have too many shoes. I am a minimalist and am a big believer in quality rather than quantity. My pet peeve is the woman who has like 200 pairs of shoes and they are all jammed in a closet and she never wears half of them. I design shoes to be loved and worn. I have a shoe closet that has nice wide shelves and I keep about 40-50 pairs max lined up with space to breath and not be shoved together. If I’m not wearing a pair of shoes and it’s something that isn’t an iconic shoe that needs to be saved, I recycle them. I also don’t think you need a different pair of shoes for every outfit. I think each season a girl should get like 3-4 really special high quality new shoes that she wears a lot.

TSG: Talk about the inspiration for your latest line.

RD: For my Fall 2009 collection, I was inspired by superpower girls who are sleek, strong, sporty, sexy and fierce. Think Bionic Woman with a darker and more futuristic slant. I like concepts like science fiction girls skiing down “Double Black Diamond” ski slopes at night. The vision is dark but with vibrant optimism mixed in.

TSG: What shoe must every woman have in her closet?

RD: The Ruthie Davis Sushi Peep-Toe Mary Jane Pump.

TSG: If you could bring only one pair of shoes on your next trip, what would they be?

RD: Ruthie Davis Fall 2009 “Combo” – you actually get a peep-toe pump and a matching ballerina together in one box. The idea is to keep the ballerinas in your handbag and switch shoes when you have to run to the subway or when after a long night out, you’re ready for your flats. They are the some color combination as the pump and will match your outfit perfectly so no one will know you made the switch.

TSG: What shoes are you wearing now?

RD: Ruthie Davis Fall 2009 “Bullseye” peep-toe shoe bootie in black.

TSG: Which shoe designer has inspired you the most?

RD: I admire the work Pierre Hardy has done for Balenciaga the most.

TSG: A word to our readers – anything you would like to add?

RD: I love what I do because it makes me so happy when I make someone feel confident and gorgeous and sexy and ready to conquer the world because she’s wearing my heels.

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NOTE: Ruthie Davis is sold online at ShopBop, ForwardForward and Endless, to name a few. You can (and should) also become a fan of the Ruthie Davis collection on Facebook for constant updates and more information on the collection.