MANOLO BLAHNIK; A LIFE IN SHOES

March 14, 2022 | 5:04 pm

MANOLO BLAHNIK

Let me start by saying no woman's wardrobe is complete without a pair of shoes by Manolo Blahnik. Whether you relate to the classic designs or the cutting edge styles Manolo Blahnik designs a shoe for every woman. Certainly fans like Vogue's Anna Wintour will wear nothing else. Manolo Blanik has become the worlds most celebrated shoe designer. I have put together an abridged version of his story and an homage to his fabulous shoes.

The prize shoes of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex In The City are Manolo Blahniks, and they are still a favorite in “And Just Like That…”. Sex and the City brought Manolo Blahnik into popular consciousness. Referred to as Manolo's, the designer's name has become a noun. The luckiest girls own, and regularly extol the virtues of, their Manolos. These shoes are like jewelry for the feet. Whether worn on the dance floor, with favorite jeans, or with a sexy dress, Manolo's have become the go too shoes to finish a look. Manolo Blahnik is a designer footwear brand that is known around the globe, has legions of followers, and forever style. Some of the most classic shoes on the market originate with this brand. Whether you love a stiletto heel, strappy sandal, or a classic pump Manolo Blahnik has perfected them. These shoes are gorgeous pieces of art. Their beauty aside, what women who love wearing Manolo’s love about wearing Manolo’s is how comfortable they are. Manolo Blahnik celebrated 50 years as a brand last fall. But who is Manolo Blahnik, and how did he become the worlds most iconic shoe designer.

‘If God had wanted us to wear flat shoes, he wouldn’t have invented Manolo Blahnik’

Alexandra Shulman, editor-in-chief of British Vogue from 1992 to 2017,

A LIFE IN SHOES

To tell the story of Manolo Blahnik is to tell the story of the last 50 years of fashion. Blahnik was born and raised in the Canary Islands with a Spanish mother and an eastern European father. From his earliest age, he loved to draw and create. He certainly was not aligned to follow his father's chosen profession of lawyering. Finding himself graduating from art school in France with no real career prospects, he went to England to study literature. Since, Manolo was supported by his parents in his choices, and he was kept comfortable, he started to find his way in London.

London in the late sixties and seventies was the place to be. The city was on the verge of an explosion in the arts, theatre, film, music, and fashion. While Manolo was drawn to theatre design, he soon discovered the fashion world. On a trip to New York Manolo was introduced to the great vogue editor Diana Vreeland. While showing the fashion matriarch his sketchbook for some career guidance, Vreeland loved his whimsical and highly original sketches of shoes. Shoe design is what you should do she exclaimed.

MANOLO BLAHNIK SHOE DESIGNER

The idea of designing shoes stuck with Manolo. It was not long before he had teamed up with a small London independent shoe store called Zapata and started working on shoe designs. Blahnik's first attempts were held back by his lack of technical skills, but the designs were there. Perseverance and good connections soon found him gaining some standing in the fashion scene. Throughout the 70s, Blahnik's business as a shoe designer grew. However, it was not until the 80s when he moved his manufacturing to shoe factories in Milan, that he soared. In Milan, Blahnik learned all the technical skills and intricacies of making truly incredible shoes. He developed as a true artist and produced shoes that changed the market. The inventiveness and creativity of Manolo Blahnik rose the standards of shoe design and spotlighted shoes as fashion essentials. Blahnik's shoes became the go to for all the major fashion brands. Moreover he worked with couture houses and ready to wear making his shoes part of their collections. Blahnik has collaborated with many designers and celebrities over his career; including John Galiano, Isaac Mizrahi, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Rhianna

MANOLO BLAHNIK'S SUCCESS

Manolo's were now sold in 350 different retailers, and he opened his own exclusive Manolo Blahnik boutiques in London and New York. The iconic shoe designer continues to this day, designing every shoe for his brand. He is a true frontier in elevating shoe design. In November 2021, Blahnik celebrated 50 years as a shoe designer.