Manolo Blahnik

I’m not sure exactly what it is about Manolo shoes, but even before my recent research I have always adored them, in fact I have a whole Pinterest page dedicated to them. I’m not a huge shoe person, and certainly not a heel one, I cant see justifying so much money on a pair of Louboutin’s or Jimmy Choo’s, but there is something so different about a pair of Manolo Blahnik’s that make them seem so special, and worth every penny.

After watching the Netflix documentary about Manolo himself, and a variety of other videos, that is became very clear to me the reason for the brands success, and its unique appeal is all from Manolo himself.

The Spanish designer has the most amazing, eccentric and warm personalities, and is clearly loved and cherished by even some of the most notoriously cold people in the industry ed; Anna Wintor. His fabulously flamboyant and fun personality is translated into each design, which gives the shoes a very personal quality, perhaps one of the reasons I have always been drawn to them.

Manolo seemed to fall into the shoe industry very naturally and with no real intention. The fact that his brand has continued to do so well is perhaps due to this unexpected success, and due to the fact that he never lost the true love for designing the shoes, as he never intended for any kind of business to come of it. He is so invested in his work, and so in love with it that he describes his gender as ‘shoe maker’. The real fun and happiness that the work brings him is so clear, and just drew me to love the shoes even more. His quiet modesty towards the success of the brand, and the strong impression that he simply does it because he loves it, is also very endearing.

 

Manolo is simply a natural creative, and the documentary shows his deep rooted love for creativity and fashion. His mother was always his greatest inspiration, she was completely obsessed with fashion which exposed Manolo to it at an early age. She was however always the most dissatisfied by shoes, which later in life must have subconsciously lead Manolo down the path of creating the perfect shoes.

His mother not only inspired the creation of what is commonly called the worlds most comfortable heels, but also inspired one of the key features in many Manolo’s, the rich fabrics and most famously satin. The satin shoes, particularly the Hangisi heels are some of my favorites. They give such a luxury feel, with the rich colours and jewels.

 

Manolo shoes manage to sit on the very fine line between tacky and over done, and classy and glamorous, perfectly. They are so unique and bold in their style, it is hard to imagine or even want a fake, because of the sheer passion and joy that goes into each pair. I think that this feeling is different to any other designer shoe brand, and perhaps why they are for me and many others such a weakness, even if you don’t particularly appreciate designer shoes.