Manolo Blahnik black goat hair knee high five inch heeled boots, fw 2010
View Similar Items
Manolo Blahnik black goat hair knee high five inch heeled boots, fw 2010
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: EU 40 - UK 7 - US 10 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140211944722
Manolo Blahnik
There may be no designer with as wide a breadth of references as the fashion and footwear icon Manolo Blahnik, whose stated sources of inspiration for the creation of his sublime shoes include — but are not limited to — Diana Vreeland, ancient Greece, 21st-century architecture, Spanish cinema and Piet Mondrian.
It’s a fittingly robust list for someone who has spent a lifetime in the self-described “pursuit of beauty.”
Born in 1942 in Spain’s Canary Islands, Blahnik had an early exposure to shoemaking: During World War II, his designer-shoe-loving mother enlisted a local cobbler to teach her to make her own footwear from available materials. The young Blahnik was intrigued.
After briefly studying law in Switzerland with the intention of becoming a diplomat, Blahnik moved to Paris, where he took a job in a vintage clothing shop while studying art at École des Beaux-Arts as well as set design at the art school of the Louvre. It wasn’t until years later, however, that he would realize his calling as a shoe designer. In the late 1960s, Blahnik relocated to London, where he worked for both the Sunday Times and Vogue. In the early 1970s, the renowned American Vogue editor Diana Vreeland saw his sketches and urged him to pursue footwear.
After a debut collection for celebrated fashion designer Ossie Clark — featuring models that Blahnik had gotten to know through his work in the fashion industry, among them Twiggy — received acclaim, he created footwear for illustrious dressmaker Jean Muir and apprenticed with professional shoemakers in London to perfect his craft. By 1973 he had bought out the shoe boutique Zapata and made it his own. Bloomingdale’s introduced him to the American market with a collection a few years later.
Vintage Manolo Blahnik shoes are famous for their theatricality, as the designer is well known for the whimsical, fantastical elements he brings to footwear, often in an explosive palette. “I have always approached color in a bold way, from all angles and variations,” he once said. “Always searching for the poetry of an impossible color.” Tack on teetering height as a trademark that took shape from early on.
“Those poor girls couldn’t walk properly, but people loved it,” the designer recalled of his early models. “Sir Cecil Beaton said to me, ‘Is this a new way of walking?’” To take it from pop culture, it indeed might have been: People are still talking about the night that Bianca Jagger dazzled, horseback, at Studio 54 in a Halston dress and Blahnik shoes on her 30th birthday, and, decades later, the footwear icon was rendered a household name during the long-running television series Sex and the City.
Today, Manolo Blahnik remains a virtual synonym for luxury shoes. Find a range of his footwear and handbags on 1stDibs.
- Vivienne Westwood black suede round toe pumpsBy Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood black suede round toe pumps with buckle closure ca. 1986-1990Category
1980s British Shoes
- Dolce & Gabbana black and gold embroidered silk velvet evening heels, ss 1998By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana black silk evening heels with gold embroidery, silver leather and red velvet interior and buckle fastening on ankle. Spring-Summer 1998 Size: 35.5Category
1990s Italian Shoes
- Vivienne Westwood black leather platform buckle boots, ss 1992By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood black leather platform buckle boots. UK 4 Salon, Spring-Summer 1992Category
1990s British Boots
- Martin Margiela black leather heeled pumps with sock boots, fw 1999By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in London, GBIntroducing the Martin Margiela Autumn-Winter 1999 shoes, a remarkable and innovative footwear creation from the avant-garde designer's iconic collection. Crafted from luxurious bla...Category
1990s Italian Shoes
- Dolce & Gabbana raspberry python boots with mirrored heels, fw 1999By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana boots ▪ Raspberry and black python leather ▪ Black elastic side panels ▪ Square toe ▪ 3.5" mirrored heel ▪ Detachable black leather b...Category
1990s Italian Shoes
- Christian Dior by John Galliano black python sandals with zipper straps, ss 2001By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior sandals ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Black python skin ▪ Gold-tone metal zip straps ▪ Dior 'D' zip pullers at the toes ▪ Slanted hee...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
- Margiela Tabi Boots Black 1990s Originals size 39 U.K. 6Located in Berlin, DE1990s Margiela Tabi Boots Black Leather Size EU 39 U.K. 6 Collectors, archivers and serious fashion lovers this is for you. From the fall 199...Category
1990s Boots
- Gina Black Satin Crystal Embellished Slingback Sandals Size 37By GinaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2A diva like you deserves everything stardust just like these sandals from Gina! These black sandals are crafted from satin and feature an open toe silhouette. They flaunt a single va...Category
2010s English Sandals
- Prada Brown Patent Leather Pointed Toe Pumps Size 38By PradaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Designed to perfection, these pointed-toe pumps are from the famous luxury house of Prada. They are covered in patent leather and balanced on 9.5 cm heels. Feel your best every time ...Category
2010s Italian Heels
- Valentino Purple/Black Two Tone Satin Rosette Peep Toe Platform Pumps Size 40By ValentinoLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2You can never go wrong with these sophisticated pumps by Valentino. These effortless pumps have been crafted from luxurious satin and come in stunning hues of purple and black. Desig...Category
2010s French Heels
- Jimmy Choo Black Satin Plastic Flower Clip Pointed Toe Pumps Size 37By Jimmy ChooLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2This pair of Jimmy Choo pumps is a style statement and a timeless piece. Sporting a fine satin exterior, these pumps are designed with pointed toes, high heels and flower applique on...Category
2010s Italian Low Heels
- Dolce and Gabbana Black/Purple Lace and Satin Ballet Flats Size 39By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Pair your favourite outfit with these Dolce & Gabbana flats for a stylish look. Crafted from beautiful lace and satin, these flats come in lovely hues of black and purple. Wear these...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
$425 Sale Price20% Off
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.
Vivienne Westwood’s Punk Spirit Lives On in This ’90s Tartan Ensemble
The shorts suit in a mash-up of patterns with an asymmetrical cut speaks to the designer’s rebellious spirit.