Manolo Blahnik Rare Vintage Black Ruffled Satin Bow Shoes Mules Size 39.5
View Similar Items
Manolo Blahnik Rare Vintage Black Ruffled Satin Bow Shoes Mules Size 39.5
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 39.5 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Sole Scuffing.
- Seller Location:Portland, OR
- Reference Number:Seller: 72681stDibs: LU22323480031
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.
- Vintage Horsebit Gucci Shoes in Black Suede Size 7.5 With BoxBy FerragamoLocated in Portland, ORThese black suede vintage Gucci shoes have the classic silver horse bit buckles and are marked a size 7 and 1/2 B. The calf suede shoes come with ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Shoes
- Stuart Weitzman Vintage Evening Black Shoes With Jeweled Heels Spain 7BBy Stuart WeitzmanLocated in Portland, ORThese incredible vintage Stuart Weitzman black shoes were only worn once, if at all! The shoes have amazing 3 and 1/4" jeweled heels and leathe...Category
1980s Spanish Shoes
- Prada Embroidered Shoes in Dark Brown Leather Size 37.5 W 3" HeelsBy PradaLocated in Portland, ORWe adore these pointed toe Prada Milano heels in shiny brown leather. The shoes are embroidered with dark brown thread in swirling flowers and vines. These beautiful pumps were made ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
- Christian Lacroix Vintage Black Heels Slingback Strappy Shoes W/ Rhinestones 8.5By Christian LacroixLocated in Portland, ORChristian Lacroix is incredible and we have always loved his pieces, so we are also happy whenever we find and of his vintage shoes! This pair of Christian Lacroix black satin sling back shoes are open toe with rhinestone encrusted balls. The strappy shoes...Category
1990s Italian Heels
- Vintage Christian Lacroix Multi Colored Fabric Bow Shoes 3.5 " Heels 35.5 or 5By Christian LacroixLocated in Portland, ORThese are fabulous Christian Lacroix sandals with 3 and 1/2 inch, polka dot inner soles and 3 patterned bows. These vintage shoes are 3 inches at the widest part of the outside of t...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Shoes
- Rare Manolo Blahnik Shoes Vintage Ankle Strap Heels With Crystals Size 37By Manolo BlahnikLocated in Portland, ORThese gorgeous vintage Manolo Blahnik shoes appear to have only been worn once, if ever! The incredible shoes have absolutely stunning cr...Category
1990s Italian Heels
- Balenciaga Stretch Knit Knife Thigh High Boot Black 36 FRBy BalenciagaLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWBrand: Balenciaga Product: Stretch Knit Knife Thigh High Boot Size: 36 Fr Colour: Black Heel: 11.5 Cm Shaft Height: 71 Cm Width 24 Cm Material: Stretch Knit: 65% Visco...Category
2010s Shoes
- Balenciaga Velvet Stretch Knit Knife Boot Burgundy 41 FRBy BalenciagaLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWBrand: Balenciaga Product: Stretch Knit Velvet Knife Boot Size: 41 Fr Colour: Burgundy Heel: 11 Cm Material: Velvet Condition: Pristine; N...Category
2010s Shoes
- Giorgio Armani Black Satin D'orsay High Heel Pump Passementerie Detail 36By Giorgio ArmaniLocated in West Palm Beach, FLGiorgio Armani black saitn d'orsay high heel pumps with passementerie detail at heel back, 36 M. 3 1/2 inch heels. These beautiful shoes have a narrow braid band trim at the front a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian High Heels
$200 Sale Price24% Off - S/S 2004 Gucci by Tom Ford Grey Satin Bow Heel Size 9 BBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a pair of silver satin Gucci pumps, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 2004 collection, these heels feature strap details, a zipper at the heel, and a black bow accent. These open-toe heels have been seen on Sarah Jessica Parker and are the perfect Gucci by Tom Ford pump...Category
Early 2000s Italian Heels
- F/W 2002 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Braided Leather Strap Heels Size 7.5 BBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a pair of black leather braided Gucci strap heels, designed by Tom Ford. From 2002, these gorgeous heels feature a square toe and have interwove...Category
Early 2000s Italian Heels
- 1990s Gianni Versace Black Satin Gold Medusa Mary Jane Pumps Size 37By Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a pair of black satin Gianni Versace Mary Jane style heels, designed by Gianni Versace. From the mid-1990s, these classic heels feature a ...Category
1990s Italian Heels