Manolo Blahnik Accessories
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.
Early 2000s Unknown Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Manolo Blahnik Accessories
2010s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary European Manolo Blahnik Accessories
1990s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
2010s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
1990s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
1990s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
Early 2000s Unknown Manolo Blahnik Accessories
Early 2000s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
Early 2000s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
Late 20th Century Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
Early 2000s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Manolo Blahnik Accessories
1990s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
1980s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
1980s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
1990s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
1990s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
2010s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
Early 2000s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
1980s Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Manolo Blahnik Accessories
2010s Manolo Blahnik Accessories
1980s Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary French Manolo Blahnik Accessories
1990s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
2010s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
1980s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
Early 2000s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
Early 2000s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
2010s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
21st Century and Contemporary Manolo Blahnik Accessories
1980s Italian Manolo Blahnik Accessories
Manolo Blahnik accessories for sale on 1stDibs.
Designers Similar to Manolo Blahnik
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The fit of Manolo Blahnik pumps depends on the particular model of shoe, though many run slightly small, and you may want to order a half size up for a comfy fit. Shop a collection of professionally vetted Manolo Blhanik pumps from top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Putting together an outfit to go with your Manolo Blahnik pumps depends a lot on your own personal style and preferences. From office-ready pantsuits to party-worthy gowns to more casual jeans and tee styling, these classic pumps instantly elevate your looks. Find a collection of beautiful Manolo Blahnik pumps on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Manolo Blahnik Hangisi shoes can be dyed a new color, but this is best left to a specialist in order to ensure an even, high-quality look. It is important that the correct dye is used to ensure that it reacts properly to the material of the shoe. Browse a range of Manolo Blahnik Hangisi shoes on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Manolo Blahniks do go on sale once in a while, usually as part of an end of the season sale. Partnered retailers may also include them in a sale or promotion. Shop a range of authentic Manolo Blahnik products from top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, Manolo Blahnik Hangisi shoes tend to run slightly small and you may need to order a size up for a comfortable fit. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted Manolo Blahnik Hangisi shoes from some of the world’s top boutiques.
- How do you say Manolo Blahnik?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Pronounce Manolo Blahnik as muh-NO-low BLAA-nik. This Spanish fashion label is named after its founder, designer Manolo Blahnik, and is famous for its luxurious footwear. Shop a range of expertly authenticated Manolo Blahnik pieces from boutiques around the world on 1stDibs.
- When was Manolo Blahnik born?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Spanish designer Manolo Blahnik was born on November 27, 1942. He was born in the town of Santa Cruz de la Palma, located in the Canary Islands in Spain. Browse through a wide collection of authentic Manolo Blahnik products from top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- Where are Manolo Blahniks made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Manolo Blahnik shoes are crafted in Italy, often by hand. Manolo Blahnik has several factories producing its footwear throughout Italy, the most recently acquired one located in Vigevano. Browse a range of authentic Manolo Blahnik shoes from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024What is so special about Manolo Blahniks is a matter of quality. Each pair of the brand's shoes begins with high-end materials like genuine leather and silk, and skilled artisans craft the footwear fully by hand. In addition, the Spanish designer is known for creating shoes that are appealing to the eye but still capable of delivering a comfortable, supportive fit. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Manolo Blahnik shoes.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Manolo Blahnik shoes are crafted with the utmost attention to detail. These shoes are made in Italy, and depending on the shoe, can involve a lot of work done by hand by artisans. A pair of shoes may take a week to create. Find a collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes from top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, as a part of normal wear, Manolo Blahnik Hangisi shoes will mold to the shape of your foot and stretch to a comfortable fit. With extensive wear, they may stretch further, so be sure to keep this in mind when selecting a size. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Manolo Blahnik shoes from some of the world’s top boutiques.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022You can buy Manolo Blahnik shoes online from the brand’s official website. They are also sold through partner retailers and high-end department stores. Find a collection of authentic Manolo Blahnik shoes from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- Who owns Manolo Blahnik shoes?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Manolo Blahnik is still owned and run by the Blahnik family. The current CEO is Kristina Hulsebus Blahnik, the niece of the founder, designer Manolo Blahnik. Shop a collection of authentic Manolo Blahnik shoes from top boutiques worldwide on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Manolo Blahnik makes men’s shoes. The company is currently aiming to have 20 percent of their business focused on men’s footwear. The men’s shoes line is relatively recent, officially launching in 2019, though Blahnik had designed men’s footwear in a limited sense in the 1970s for personal friends and iconic figures, including Andy Warhol and David Bowie. Shop a range of Manolo Blahnik men’s shoes on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Clean your Manolo Blahnik Hangisi shoes by first letting them dry, then brushing any loose, dry dirt and dust off. Then take a damp rag, add a tiny amount of clear baby shampoo and rub it to create a lather. Gently wipe the dirty areas of the shoe to remove remaining stains and dirt. You can also choose to take your Hangisi shoes to a professional shoe cleaning and repair business. Browse a range of Manolo Blahnik Hangisi shoes on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022It depends. While comfort is often a matter of personal preference, Manolo Blahnik shoes are known for a comfortable feel that supports the foot as you walk. Lower heels are usually more comfortable than higher ones. Shop a range of Manolo Blahnik stiletto pumps from top boutiques worldwide on 1stDibs.