Manolo Blahnik is a fashion legend. His shoes have developed and deserve a cult following. There aren't too many people out there who don't know his name and even fewer who haven't in some way fallen in love with one of his designs, even if it was a trickled-down outlet store version or when they saw a pair on the feet of his loyal fan Carrie Bradshaw. His shoes are always creative and daring but also wearable enough that even the most average woman could have a shot at managing to pull off one of his designs. He can do so much with just the simple idea of a heel or a flat. His shoes are crafted so well and have such a creative vibe about them that they are really more of an art than anything else.
Like many designers today, he is not one to shy away from collaborations. He designs shoes for partnerships with many other brands like Liberty of London, Swarovsi, John Galliano, Alexander Wang, and Thankoon. His name seems to be disappearing from magazines but his impact is not. While his style is somewhat outdated for the current times, many of the designs you see in magazines are actually his designs under another name because of the collaboration contracts. Also countless designers have noted him as one of their main influences and his designs as sources of inspiration.
Im currently looking at a book of sketches by Manolo which are so unique because they aren't really what all of us would call 'amazing' sketches but something about them is just draws you in. The best part of the book by far though is the foward by Anna Wintour who makes everything sound so magical (but at the same time so scary.)
"He's more than a shoe designer: he is a multi-disciplinary artist. For him, the world is a theater and we are the spectators... I love him." - Bianca Jagger
"Other shoemakers don't have the imagination, or the incredible detail - such tiny weeny buckles, they're all perfect." - Lucy Ferry
"He is the Picasso of shoes." - Grace Coddington
"By now I can run a marathon in a pair of Manolo Blahik heels. I can race out and hail a cab. I can run up sixth avenue at full speed. I've destroyed my feet completely, but I don't really care. What do you need, your feet for anyway?" - Sarah Jessica Parker
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