Manolo Blahnik Black Suede Lace Up Ankle Heeled Booties Sz 39.5
View Similar Items
Manolo Blahnik Black Suede Lace Up Ankle Heeled Booties Sz 39.5
About the Item
- Designer:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 121969-31stDibs: LU2044862063
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.
- Chanel Black Grosgain Slingbacks with CC Pearl Camellia sz 37.5By ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Black Grosgrain Sling Backs w/Camelia & CC Pearl Made In: Italy Color: Black Materials: Grosgrain Closure/Opening: Slingbacks Overall Condition: Excellent - elastic detached ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Heels
- Chanel Vintage Black Leather CC Combat Boots sz 36By ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Vintage Black Leather Lace Up Combat Boots. Features quilted detail and CC detail and CHANEL pull at back of boot Made In: Spain Color: Black Materials: Leather Closure/Opening: Lace up and double sided zippers...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Boots
- YSL Yves Saint Laurent Black Textured Leather Tribtoo Platform 80 Pumps Sz 36By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent YSL Black Textured Leather Tribtoo Platform 80 Pumps Sz 36 Made In: Italy Color: Black Materials: Textured leather Closure/Opening: Slide ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- Gucci Black Monogram Sneakers w/ Leather Trim sz 36.5By GucciLocated in New York, NYGucci Black Monogram Sneakers w/ Leather Trim sz 36.5 Made In: Italy Color: Black Hardware: Silvertone Materials: Leather Closure/Opening: Front Laces Overall Condition: Excellent p...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- Lanvin Black Suede Wedge Boots sz 36By Lanvin ParisLocated in New York, NYLanvin Black Suede Wedge Boots sz 36 Made In: Italy Year of Production: Color: Black Materials: Suede Closure/Opening: Slip on Overall Condition: ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Boots
- Prada Black Patent Leather Ballet Flats w/ Plaid Bow sz 36.5By PradaLocated in New York, NYPrada Black Patent Leather Flats with Plaid Bow sz 36.5 Color: Black, Plaid Materials: Patent Leather Closure/Opening: Slip-on Overall Cond...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
$148 Sale Price20% Off
- NEW Balmain Limited Edition Black & Blue High Top Leather Combat Boots 36By BalmainLocated in Switzerland, CHLimited Edition Balmain Cell Stellar high-top leather combat boots Sold out immediately Details: Black leather Balmain Cell Stellar high-top combat leather boots Round to Lace-up f...Category
2010s French Shoes
- NEW Tod's for Ferrari Black Gommino Moccasins Loafers Alligator Crocodile 10By FerrariLocated in Switzerland, CHAMAZING RARE RARE RARE TOD'S FOR FERRARI LIMITED EDITION MOCCASINS LOAFERS RETAIL PRICE 7700$ PLUS TAXES DETAILS: A signature piece that will last you for years From an exclusive and limited exotic skin collection produced for Ferrari Pure luxury Beautiful exotic skin real crocodile leather - no print! Fantastic black leather with "Ferrari"-red stitching Ferrari horse...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Moccasins
- Tom Ford for YSL SS 2004 Collection Crystal Embellished Spectator Shoes 39 US 9By Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Montgomery, TXTom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Spectator Shoes Italian size 39 - US 9 These sensational shoes will add dramatic panache to evening elegance. Fully co...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Heels
- Dior Black Leather Pointed Toe Pumps Size 40By Christian DiorLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Wonderfully-crafted shoes added with notable elements to fit well and pair perfectly with all your plans. Make these Dior kitten heel pumps yours today! includes Original DustbagCategory
2010s Italian Heels
- Balenciaga Shimmery Black Knit Fabric Speed Trainer Sneakers Size 38By BalenciagaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Celebrating the fusion of sports and luxury fashion, these Balenciaga Speed Trainer sneakers are absolutely worth the splurge. They are laceless and so well-crafted with knit fabric ...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Gucci Black Bee Star Embroidered Leather Web Sylvie Slingback Pumps Size 38By GucciLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Make a chic style statement with these designer pumps. They showcase sturdy heels and durable soles, perfect for your fashionable outings! Includes Original BoxCategory
2010s Italian Heels