Life of Style

Book excerpt: Vince Camuto is an accomplished creator of lifestyle products and brands that are known the world over. The Italian-American shoe designer spent the better portion of his career under the fashion radar. From humble beginnings in Manhattan's East Village, he quietly made a name for himself by co-founding Nine West and, soon after, slowly acquired footwear licenses for BCBG, Max Azria, and BCBGirls, all before launching his own namesake brand in 2005. The following year, he partnered with Tory Burch to create the Reva ballet flat, the shoe that effectively launched her career. The book is also an ode to the homes that have become his passion, featuring new photographs: Chateau Ridge, in Greenwich, Connecticut; Villa Maria, in Water Mill, New York; and Wooldon Manor, in Southampton, New York. Each home is stunningly decorated with gorgeous works of art and antiques collected by Camuto and his wife Louise. Camuto traces his career from the early days at I. Magnin to becoming founder and creative director of Nine West to establishing The Camuto Group in 2001, which offers products in 31 categories under more than 10 brands, including Vince Camuto and VC Signature. The book has a foreword by Tommy Hilfiger, who has known Camuto for 25 years. .