Posts Tagged ‘Manolo Blahnik’
Celebrity gossip
By Andrea Petrou on November 28th, 2011
Manolo Blahnik insists he has “never followed trends”.
The 68-year-old designer’s women’s footwear has been hugely popular for over four decades yet he has no idea what his appeal is.
He said: “I’ve never really thought about my success, but I guess it’s true. I have been going for a while. Suddenly, people seem to really like my shoes again. But you know, those furniture shoes were fashionable for three or four years. I did platforms in the 1970s, so that wasn’t new to me. I’ve never followed trends or gotten into the frenzy of doing the ‘right’ shoes.”
The designer also admitted he can be difficult to work with because he is never completely satisfied with all his creations.
He told WWD: “I’m never satisfied. I always find something wrong, and I’m really difficult to work with in that respect.
Just today, I was looking at a shoe [here in London], and there was a fault, so I called the factory and told them to do it again.”
While he been working for over 41 years, Manolo admits it doesn’t feel like that long.
He said: “I’ve never been able to capture the essence of time. I really enjoy what I do, so what’s the point of saying how long I’ve been doing it?”
Tags: Manolo Blahnik, shoes, trends
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Designers
By Andrea Petrou on November 22nd, 2011
Manolo Blahnik’s life story has become the subject of a new fairytale.
The legendary shoe designer will see the tale of his time in the industry turned into a “mix of biography and fairy story” by fashion writer Camilla Morton, with Blahnik illustrating the tome himself.
Camilla told Vogue.co.uk: “The book is a mix of biography and fairy story. It is a blend of Manolo’s life – from his childhood on the banana plantation to his store in Chelsea today – mixed with the tale of ‘The Elves and the Shoemaker’.
“Fashion designers are too magical for a straightforward biography, so what better than to mix with well-known ‘Once Upon a Times’ – and the finishing touch, asking the designers themselves to illustrate their story.”
The Spanish-born shoe creator admitted he found the process of illustrating the book a “cathartic” experience.
He added: “I would do it whenever I had a moment, on a train, on my travels, it was a bit of a challenge. I haven’t ever illustrated a book like this before, but it was very cathartic in a way to look back and draw images from my past.
“I knew Camilla would create something wonderful. It was a very fun adventure.”
Manolo follows in the footsteps of Christian Lacroix, who illustrated ‘Sleeping Beauty’ – his own biography written by Camilla – earlier this year.
Tags: designer, designer shoes, lifestory, Manolo Blahnik, sex and the city, shoes
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Designers
By Andrea Petrou on October 27th, 2011
Manolo Blahnik has collaborated with Marcia Patmos to create two pairs of sustainable shoes.
This will be the first eco-friendly project for the footwear designer and he has made the two styles – a double strap, open-toe flat and a strappy, high-heeled sandal in combinations of electric blue, black, nude and yellow – entirely from discarded tilapia skins, cork and raffia.
Speaking about working with the legendary shoe maker on the designs, which will retail for $895 per pair, Marcia said: “I am always researching sustainable materials and developments. I love the idea of tilapia skin because it is a by-product of the food industry that would otherwise be discarded, but it’s actually a beautiful material perfect for small leather goods. I love bringing the idea of sustainability into the luxury market – it doesn’t have to be limited to T-shirts and grocery bags.”
Manolo is renowned for his beautiful designs and his are the footwear of choice for US Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who has only worn two styles of shoes for over 10 years – both made by him.
He said: “I am incredibly thankful for Anna’s loyalty and if she chooses to move in another direction, I would also respect that. Betrayed is too strong a word but I’d definitely be hurt.”
Choosing Anna’s shoes is a collaborative process for the designer and the editor and he says it changes depending on her wardrobe.
He explained: “I often talk to Anna about what’s inspiring her that particular season and what she’s ordered for her wardrobe. Anna has fantastic legs, and her feet are always meticulously groomed. We’re always discussing materials and adjusting the heel heights and whether or not straps should be wider or stay the same. In the end, it is always up to Anna.”
Tags: eco friendly shoes, Manolo Blahnik, Marcia Patmos, sex and the city, shoe design, shoes
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Celebrity gossip, Celebrity Style, Designers, Gossip, shoes
By emilyborrett on August 23rd, 2011
Kate Moss may have looked like a floaty chiffon-clad gypsy angel on her wedding day, but apparently she was a bit of a choosy Bridezilla in the run-up to the big day as iconic shoe designer Manolo Blahnik has confessed that he had to re-design her bridal heels five times before she was happy with the result. Wowsers.
Manolo, who is one of the biggest designer shoe names around, happily created Kate a special pair of heels for her big day to wear with her Galliano gown but admits that it wasn’t the easiest job he’s ever had.
The designer told WWD: “We did them five times to get them the way she wanted. My workers are the best people. I wouldn’t be here without them. The shoes arrived the day before and there were too many jewels on the heel because of the long train, so we had women working up until midnight to change it.”
Well, we suppose if you’re one of the most famous models in Britain, not any old pair of Blahniks will do. The shoe designer, who’s been a friend of Moss’ for a long time, then went on to say how thrilled he was with her final look. “I’ve known Kate since she was a little girl. The wedding was divine. Kate has such a presence. You just have to feel it.”
Tags: bridal, bridezilla, celebrity gossip, designer footwear, high heels, John Galliano, Kate Moss, Manolo Blahnik, model, wedding, wedding dress
Posted in Celebrity gossip, Celebrity Style, Designers, Gossip, shoes | No Comments »
Fashion News
By Andrea Petrou on May 21st, 2010
It’s official. We’re going Sex and The City crazy. Ebay has reported a surge in sales of all things Sex and the City-related, as we all eagerly prepare for the sequel’s launch next week.
According to the auction site sales of Manolo Blahnik shoes have increased by 500 per cent on the site over the past week and tutus, similar to those worn by Carrie, have increased by 65 per cent.
And it doesn’t end there. Sales of turbans similar to those worn by the girls on their trip to Abu Dhabi in the film have risen by 107 percent.
In jewellery, personalised name necklaces in tribute to Carrie went through the roof, with gold rising by 125 per cent and silver by 120 per cent in the past week.
Tags: Abu Dhabi, Jewellery, Manolo Blahnik, Sarah Jessica Parker, SATC 2, Sex & The City
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Designers, Fashion News
By Andrea Petrou on March 23rd, 2010
With the Sex and The City 2 film looming in the not so far distance, we’re getting ready for backstage gossip, promotions and of course lots of pictures of the girls.
However one person doesn’t seem so excited by all the drama surrounding the film and that’s one of our favourite shoe designers Christian Louboutin.
Following a bust up with Manolo Blahnik, the designer associated with the Sex and The City girl’s footwear, producers decided to enlist Louboutin’s creations for the next film.
Any other designer would be over the moon at the thought of this, but Louboutin doesn’t seem to fussed.
He told The Guardian: “I think it’s a good thing because people tell me it is. I don’t have a TV, you see.”
We would love for you to come over to ours and watch the series Mr Louboutin and no need to bring the popcorn, a pair of shoes would be just fine.
Tags: Christian Louboutin, Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, sex and the city, The Guardian
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Designer Fashions
By Andrea Petrou on March 1st, 2010
We couldn’t mention Sex and The City and ignore Manolo Blahnik, especially after news of his latest creations are making a bit of a splash in the fashion world today.
The shoe designer has spoken about his Spring collection, which has been inspired by a range of things including the flats by Audrey Hepburn, some of the stilettos by old Hollywood glamour, some of the adornments by Spanish architecture, and one style even by Einstein’s tongue.
“My favourite style is the Gloton in polkadot,” Blahnik told VOGUE.COM. “This is a great summer shoe, which I have always loved, and variations of it have always featured in my collections…..It brings a smile to my face when I look at it and I hope it will do the same to women when they put the shoe on.”
Mr Blahnik we guarantee we’ll be smiling like Cheshire cats from the minute we touch any of your gorgeous footwear.
Tags: Manolo Blahnik, sex and the city, shoes, SS2010
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designer pick of the week, Features, Gallery
By Andrea Petrou on November 27th, 2009
We want to wish Manolo Blahnik a very happy birthday and we know we’re not alone in rejoicing the day that designer was born, well at least when he was old enough to hold a pencil.
Manolo, who is 67 today has done wonders for people’s shoe collections and is creations have been a favourite of the Sex and the City girls with his fabulous footwear appearing on a range of episodes.
One example that sticks in our minds is Season 3, Episode 17 when Carrie got mugged in an alley and the guy took her favourite pair of Manolo strappy sandals. Not the most cheerful but definitely the most poignant.
We remember her words to this day: “Please sir,” she pleaded. “You can take my Fendi baguette, you can take my ring and my watch, but don’t take my Manolo Blahniks.”
So what is it about the designer that makes him stand out?
Well ever since he first started his designing in 1970 Manolo has been solely responsible for the design and prototype of every shoe that bears his name. Working alone without apprentices or assistants, he sketches his shoes, chisels the wooden lasts on which they are moulded and sculpts the heels. He then supervises their production and even sketches the illustrations for his advertising campaigns.
He told his friend Michael Roberts in the 1970s that he achieved all his designs without any formal training as he “didn’t need it.” He said this was because he had “the best taste in the world.”
We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.
Happy Birthday Manolo, we’ll of course be baking you a stilletto shaped cake.
We’ve also put together a mini gallery of some of the designers creations. Click on the picture below to begin the gallery.
Tags: Manolo Blahnik, Manolo Blahnik shoes, sex and the city, shoes
Posted in designer pick of the week, Features, Gallery | 2 Comments »
New York Fashion Week - Runway, YouTube Watch
By Kimberley Foster on February 19th, 2009
Forget walking in ridiculous sky-high heels, models at the Brian Reyes show kicked off their specially-designed Manolo Blahniks for the finale and went barefoot instead. After several stumbles and three models stopping to take off their stilettos, they forfeited footwear all together to close the show. Besides this misstep (ha!) the collection itself was a cohesive display of tailored separates including belted dresses, stone-coloured suits, bronze jumpsuits and mulberry shifts.
Click on to see a video of the show…
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Tags: autumn / winter 2009-10, barefoot, brian reyes, falls, Footwear, heels, Manolo Blahnik, Models, New York Fashion Week, sky-high, stilettos
Posted in New York Fashion Week - Runway, YouTube Watch | 1 Comment »
Accessories, shoes, YouTube Watch
By Andrea Kiliany Thatcher on November 17th, 2008
If you’re a shoe girl, you’ll love this video of Manolo Blahnik talking about his famous footwear. He talks about the basics he’s been making forever as well as which collections he finds most enjoyable to design.
At the end, of course, you can browse his beautiful shoes!
Tags: "Manolo Blahnik interview", "Manolo Blahnik vidoe", Manolo Blahnik, Manolo Blahnik shoes
Posted in Accessories, shoes, YouTube Watch | No Comments »
High End Department Stores, Retail News
By Andrea Thatcher on October 20th, 2008
If you’re moving a little slow this Monday morning, get your creative (and consumerist) juices flowing with the Neiman Marcus Christmas book. Since the book is always fantasy for us, the economic downturn and falling sales of luxury goods don’t diminish our enjoyment of the catalog one bit.
For notables from this year’s offerings, keep reading. We’ll whet your appetite with these options – a lifesize replica of yourself made out of LEGO bricks and a luxury wedding package beginning at $1.3 million, and one gift costing $10 million.
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Tags: "Bobbi Brown cosmetics", "Cartier watch", "chess set", "Christmas catalog", "Christmas shopping", "crystal chess set", "diamond watch", "LEGO replica", "luxury wedding package", "Manolo Blahnik shopping spree", "Neiman Marcus Christmas book", "race horses", "The Resort at Pelican Hill wedding", "The Resort at Pelican Hill", "thoroughbred race horse", "thoroughbred stables", "wedding planning", LEGOs, Manolo Blahnik, Neiman Marcus
Posted in High End Department Stores, Retail News | No Comments »
Uncategorized
By Andrea Kiliany Thatcher on July 17th, 2008
There isn’t a more iconic pair of shoes in American history than Dorothy’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz.”
And now, the most iconic shoe designers from around the world are going to show us their spin on the ultimate sparkly pumps.
For the 70th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz” Warner Bros. and Swarovski have selected 19 designers to create their interpretations of Dorothy’s slippers to commemorate the event.
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Tags: "A. Testoni", "Dorothy's ruby slippers", "Dorothy's slippers", "Giuseppe Zanotti", "Lisa Pliner", "Roger Vivier", "ruby slippers", "Wizard of Oz ruby slippers", "Wizard of Oz", Abaeté, Alberta Ferretti, betsey johnson, Botkier, Christian Louboutin, diane von furstenberg, Gwen Stefani, Jimmy Choo, LAMB, Manolo Blahnik, Moschino, New York Fashion Week, oscar de la renta, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Tibi, Tuleh
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Celebrity Style, Designer Fashions, Fashion News, Red Carpet
By Andrea Kiliany Thatcher on April 2nd, 2008
The world première of the soon-to-be released Sex and the City movie is destined to be a major fashion event on par with the Oscars. And the stars are fully aware of how huge the fashion has to be. According to the Mirror, the cast of SATC are up in arms over who is going to wear which designer to the film’s début. The paper reports that Sarah Jessica Parker has been “inundated with more offers of designer gear than you can throw a Manolo Blahnik shoe at,” leaving her co-stars green with envy.
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Tags: Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Manolo Blahnik, patricia field, Sarah Jessica Parker, SATC, sex and the city, Sex and the City movie, Sex and the City movie premiere, Sex and the City premiere
Posted in Celebrity Style, Designer Fashions, Fashion News, Red Carpet | 2 Comments »
Accessories, Bargain POTW, Celebrity Style, Footwear, New Fashions, Retail News
By Andrea Thatcher on December 6th, 2007
Sometime during her Sex and the City costume designer years, Patricial Field’s name became forever linked with Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo in the footwear category. And now you can get her high-fashion, Emmy-award winning, Sarah Jessica Parker-approved style at Payless – who would have predicted? Our bargain pick of the week is her Tempura platform, $40, actually the only pump in her limited edition holiday collection. There’s also a chic boot and a clutch, but we feel the platform is the most Patricia.
Tags: bargain pick of the week, Bargain Shoes, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, patricia field, Patricia Field for Payless, Patricia Field Limited Edition Holiday Collection for Payless, sex and the city
Posted in Accessories, Bargain POTW, Celebrity Style, Footwear, New Fashions, Retail News | No Comments »
Manolo Blahnik insists he has “never followed trends”.
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