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.
New Kate Spade Spring 2005 Snakeskin Fabric Heels Sz 8.5
Located in Conroe, TX
Kate Spade Rare From Her Spring 2005 Collection Her Final Collection before selling to Neiman Marcus Brand New Size 8.5 * Metallic Snakeskin Print * Adjustable Ankle Strap * Open T...
New Kate Spade Spring 2005 Snakeskin Fabric Heels Sz 9
Located in Conroe, TX
Kate Spade Rare From Her Spring 2005 Collection Her Final Collection before selling to Neiman Marcus Size 9 Brand New * Metallic Snakeskin Print * Adjustable Ankle Strap * Open Toe...
Size: IT 37
Aquazzura Beige Suede High Sandals IT 37
By Aquazzura
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Beautiful high sandals by Aquazzura Suede Beige color Golden leather on ankle Back zip Heel height cm 11 (4,33 inches) Worldwide priority shipping included in the price !
W 3.94 in L 4.34 in
Louis Vuitton Cream Fabric Monogram Travel Pump Shoe Trees
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Paris, FR
Louis Vuitton Cream fabric Monogram travel pump shoe trees featuring a brown signature Monogram pattern, he logo monogram pattern, a leather loop. In good vintage condition. Made in ...
New Kate Spade Spring 2005 Snakeskin Fabric Heels Sz 9.5
Located in Conroe, TX
Kate Spade Rare From Her Spring 2005 Collection Her Final Collection before selling to Neiman Marcus Brand New Size 9.5 * Metallic Snakeskin Print * Adjustable Ankle Strap * Open T...
Christian Dior shoes
By Christian Dior
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
DIOR - (Made in Italy) Black leather and metallic pink leather pumps. Size indicated 36FR. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Heel Height : 10 cm SKU:CH26
Marc Jacobs Beige leather cocktail open toe shoes with ribbon
By Marc Jacobs
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Marc Jacobs Beige leather cocktail open toe shoes Made In: Italy Color: Beige Material: Leather Marked Size: 40 Europe Heel Height: 8 cm/ 3,14 inches READY TO SHIP Orders welcome!...
Gucci Tom Ford 2004 Runway Dragon Buckle Suede Leather D'Orsay Pumps 6B
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in San Jose, CA
Rare Gucci d'Orsay pumps from the Fall/Winter 2004 runway collection designed by Tom Ford during his final season at Gucci. Pieces from this collection are highly collectible and represent the end of one of fashion's most influential designer eras. These elegant pumps feature soft ivory suede uppers contrasted with a bold black leather center stripe and heel cap. The vamp is finished with distinctive gold twin dragon head ring hardware, a dramatic detail seen across Tom Ford's late Gucci designs. The almond toe and sculpted mid heel create a sleek, refined silhouette while the d'Orsay cut keeps the profile feminine and flattering. Crafted in Italy with suede uppers, leather lining, and metallic gold leather insoles. A rare archival Gucci piece ideal for collectors of Tom Ford era fashion and vintage designer footwear. Details Designer: Tom Ford for Gucci Collection: Fall/Winter 2004 runway Material: Ivory suede with black leather stripe Hardware: Gold twin dragon head ring Style: D'Orsay pumps Made in Italy Size: US 6 B (medium width) Condition Pre-owned with visible sole wear and light interior wear consistent with use. Structure remains solid. Please review photos carefully. Keywords: gucci tom ford heels, tom ford gucci pumps, gucci 2004 runway shoes, dragon head gucci, gucci d'orsay pumps, vintage gucci...
Gucci x Tom Ford Spring 2003 Pointed Sole Pink Multi Strap Sandals
By Gucci
Located in London, GB
Amazing, super rare Gucci pointed sole strappy sandals from Tom Ford’s Spring 2003 collection. Made from rose pink leather with multiple delicate stretchy straps, iconic pointed sol...
Chanel Quilted CC Logo 2017 Cruise Patent Leather Maryjane Platform Pumps 36.5
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Mechanicsville, VA
Chanel 2017 Interlocking CC Patent Leather Platform Maryjane Pumps G32407 In box, with dustbag Color Black / Cream Size 36.5EU Leather sole Leather upper CC logo at back of heels Mul...
