Manolo Blahnik Black Cut-Out Panel Ankle Boots Size IT 41
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 (UK)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Charlotte Olympia Black Leather Dolly Platform Heels Size IT 37By Charlotte OlympiaLocated in London, GBCONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to heels is evident. light abrasion to the platforms and outer toe area, with some discolouration/dye transfer at the inside heel on this used Ch...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British High Heels
- Giuseppe Zanotti for Jenifer Lopez Brown Strappy Gladiator Heels Size IT 38.5By Giuseppe ZanottiLocated in London, GBCondition is Very Good. Minor stains, scratches and creasing evident on the leather, minor wear on outer sole on this used Giuseppe Zanotti designer resale item. Details Giuse...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Heels
- Nike x Comme des Garcons Black Transparent Dunk Low Logo Trainers Size US 8.5Located in London, GBCONDITION is Very good. Hardly any visible wear to trainers is evident on this used Nike x Comme des Garcons designer resale item. These shoes come with ori...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Shoes
- Stuart Weitzman Black Suede Embellished Boots Size IT 39By Stuart WeitzmanLocated in London, GBCONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to boots is evident. Minimal wear to the left boot heel with abrasions to the suede on this used Stuart Weitzman designer resale item. Details B...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Boots
- Pink Leather Minas Knot Block Heel Sandals Size IT 40By Gianvito RossiLocated in London, GBCONDITION is Never Worn. No visible wear to sandals is evident on this used Gianvito Rossi designer resale item. These shoes come with original dust bag. Details Pink Leather ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Sandals
- René Caovilla Gold Leather Jewelled Espadrilles Size IT 39By René CaovillaLocated in London, GBCONDITION is Good. Minor wear to espadrilles is evident. Light wear to leather with minor fading seen around the top line binding, a number of crystals are also missing from the fore...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Shoes
- new CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN So Kate 120 Charlotte pink satin stiletto pump EU36By Christian LouboutinLocated in Hong Kong, NTnew CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN So Kate 120 Charlotte pink satin stiletto pump EU36 Reference: TGAS/C01125 Brand: Christian Louboutin Designer: Christ...Category
2010s Italian High Heels
- Gucci Yellow Suede Dahlia Bamboo Heel Pumps Size 36.5By GucciLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Purposely built to make you feel like a fashion diva, these Gucci pumps are not to be missed. The yellow beauties are crafted from suede and feature round toes with comfy leather-lin...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Gucci Red Leather And Suede High-Top Sneakers Size 40By GucciLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Let your fashion sense speak for you as you wear these trendy Gucci high-top sneakers. Round-toed in design, these sneakers are made from suede and leather and feature the interlocki...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- VERSACE black leather sandals with metallic stiletto heel Sz 41By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Black leather ankle strap sandals Finished with metallic stiletto heel IT Size 41 Made in Italy Brand new. In VERSACE box.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Heels
- Chanel Pink Mesh and Grosgrain Flower Cap Toe Short BootiesBy ChanelLocated in Krakow, PLSz.38 Condition is good. Signs of wear seen on pics.Category
2010s Shoes
- Jimmy Choo Green Nylon Sock Boots Size 37By Jimmy ChooLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Boots are an essential part of your wardrobe, and these boots, crafted from top-quality materials, are a fine choice. Offering the best of comfort and style, this sturdy-soled pair w...Category
2010s Italian Boots