Manolo Blahnik

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.