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Manolo Blahnik

Artist Info
Manolo Blahnikborn 1943

When Manolo Blahnik is asked what has made him one of the most beloved contemporary shoe designers, he simply answers, “My shoes have something other shoes don’t—personality.” Best known for his high heels (which he believes should never exceed four inches), Blahnik’s influences vary greatly, resulting in designs that are sexy, elegant, subversive, or a combination thereof. He maintains what is described as a “fanatically loyal” following, and clients admire both the artistry and exquisite craftsmanship of his designs. Blahnik himself designs every shoe in his collections, beginning with a sketch. He then hand-carves the lasts, selects the materials, and personally oversees the production of each style.

Born and raised in the Canary Islands, Blahnik studied literature and art in Geneva before moving to Paris, and then to London. In 1970, he arranged a meeting with the inimitable Diana Vreeland, who was then the editor of American Vogue. He showed her some sketches for set designs—his primary interest—as well as some for shoes. On her sage advice, he pursued shoe design. By the following year, his whimsical platforms were shown with Ossie Clark’s runway collection. In suede and rubber with red cherries at the ankle, Blahnik now describes the shoes as “disgusting”—but they were right for their time.

Blahnik quickly caught the attention of the fashion elite, and soon Bianca Jagger was wearing a pair of his heels while riding horseback into Studio 54. But his fame received an enormous boost in the early 2000s when Carrie Bradshaw, the fashion-conscious journalist played by Sarah Jessica Parker in the television series Sex and the City, proclaimed Blahnik to be one of her favorite designers. Despite the recognition, however, his company is still relatively small, and is still owned and run by Blahnik himself. By limiting production, he maintains an air of exclusivity that keeps his clients wanting more.

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Gold metallic shoe with light purple toe cap and high Louis heel, ankle strap and bow at instep
Shoes
Manolo Blahnik
1977
92.225.34
Quarter strap shoes in gold metallic and light purple leather with wave cut edges and topstitching; front tie quarter strap, point toe with cap, and high Louis heel.
Pair of green low heeled lizard pumps with triangular pieces on sides in turquoise blue and gre…
Shoes
Manolo Blahnik
1981
92.225.45
Pumps in green lizard with sides of triangular pieces in turquoise blue and grey, each with tab at upper point linked to gold tone topline; rounded point toe and kitten heel
Pair of purple d'Orsay shoes with high heels and large black satin bow at ankle strap
Evening shoes
Manolo Blahnik
1985
92.225.69
Purple satin d'Orsay shoes with narrow wave shaped instep ankle strap with black satin tie, high heel, pointed toe
Pair of blue suede shoes with blue leather ruffled topline, keyhole throat with tie closure and…
Shoes
Manolo Blahnik
1985
92.225.57
High cut shoes in electric blue suede with blue leather ruffled topline, keyhole throat with wide suede tie through slashes and narrow square toe, very low stacked heel.
Pair of black and cream lizard sling back shoes with instep tie of black and white striped ribb…
Evening shoes
Manolo Blahnik
1985
92.225.47
Sling back shoes in black and cream spotted lizard skin with instep tie of black and white striped ribbon, rounded point toe, square throat, and medium Louis heel.
Blue silk high heel pump with cutout sides and large oval rhinestone ornament
Evening shoes
Manolo Blahnik
c. 1988
91.186.2
Navy blue silk faille d'Orsay court shoes with high faceted French heel with satin draped vamp and large oval rhinestone shoe buckle
Red satin pointy toe high heel sandals with ankle straps with tiny bow detail
Shoes
Manolo Blahnik
c. 1988
91.186.14
Quarter strap evening sandals in red satin, with triple vamp strap and closed point toe; high stiletto heel; self bow on outside quarter strap.
Silver mule shoe with pleated vamp extending to knotted tab, pointed toe and high Louis heel
Evening shoes
Manolo Blahnik
1986
92.225.68
Evening mules in silver metallic leather with long knotted tab extending from pleated vamp, point toe and high Louis heel.
Sheer gold dress with short sleeve bodice over slip with full skirt, large flower at waist cumm…
Evening set
Carolyne Roehm
1990
91.36.1
Evening gown with fitted short sleeve bodice, strapless underdress and full, floor length skirt, in gold metallic tulle over gold pink lace; matching gathered cummerbund with tan flower; coordinating pink net and gold metallic shoes
Tan and hunter green hybrid boots with sharply pointed toe and shaped, spike heel
Boots
Manolo Blahnik
c. 1994
2002.62.1
Hybrid boots in tan and hunter green leather, topstitched and laced in L.L. Bean style, with sharply pointed toe and shaped, spike heel; rubber tread sole
Red velvet evening high heel shoe with rectangular rhinestone buckle on wide bar; pointed toe
Shoes
Manolo Blahnik
c.1995
2004.24.2
Red velvet evening shoes with rectangular rhinestone buckle on wide single bar; pointed toe, high shaped heel
Pair of pink high heel mules with pointed toe and eyelet cutouts topped with beaded pink and gr…
Shoes
Manolo Blahnik
Spring 1995
2017.24.1
Pink high heel mules in cloth covered silk with handmade glass and crochet berries at center front vamp eyelet cut outs