I’ve been a little obsessed lately over reading interviews with Manolo Blahnik. He’s really such a cool guy and I love that he lives in Bath, which is one of the most charming places ever and one of my top geographical candidates if I could choose anywhere in the world to whittle away an afternoon.
I bought my first pair of Manolo Blahniks in 2006, but for all the wrong reasons. I wanted a pair of Manolos because I saw them on Sex and the City, and they were associated with an exciting lifestyle. I chose the pair that I thought would be the most classic – the Carolyn model for those of you who are familiar – and not the one that I loved the most. I bought black because it was the most practical over other colors I loved, and worst of all I ended up with the wrong size because I let the salesperson convince me that the last size in stock fit me, even though it didn’t. I ended up barely wearing the pair and eventually giving them to a friend.
In the years since that first pair, I’ve come to realize that sort of purchasing mentality is actually very anti-Manolo – who as you will read below, stands for the fashion that is beautiful, that suits the individual, that is never trendy or too nouveau, and that has longevity. He gives a very charming interview too, with plenty of zingers. Here are some of my favorite quotes below, as well as their source interviews – I hope you enjoy as much as I did!
“Ooh, no. I can’t change too many hundreds. I would feel too guilty. The other day I saw in a magazine that they’d put the wrong price on my shoes. It was unmentionable. I was mortified. No, since the crash, I make less complicated shoes — not so many jewels and embroidery. But really, women still need beauty, don’t they? You hardly have couture now, so shoes are what women do instead. Maybe that’s why they buy so many, because compared with a £20,000 dress, they’re not so bad.”
“I don’t like large companies, where they have these endless meetings to do one little detail. I can’t deal with these things; I’m too old for it now. We’re a family-owned company—my sister, my niece, a few people more. I design all the shoes myself, and I wouldn’t have it otherwise. I don’t want to be influenced.”
52 Comments
Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
March 6, 2012 at 2:14 pmHe lives in Bath??! I didn't know that. Love LOVE that city. I chuckled when I read his quotes. Funny guy but down to earth and realistic. When I was still working in an office, I used to buy his shoes. These days, I'm no good with pointy heels. I would love to see heels with a more rounded toe and a slight platform and wedges. I guess it may not be his style though.
Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
March 6, 2012 at 2:14 pmHe lives in Bath??! I didn't know that. Love LOVE that city. I chuckled when I read his quotes. Funny guy but down to earth and realistic. When I was still working in an office, I used to buy his shoes. These days, I'm no good with pointy heels. I would love to see heels with a more rounded toe and a slight platform and wedges. I guess it may not be his style though.
Couture Coco
March 6, 2012 at 2:17 pmOh gosh, you chose such a great person and so relevant for these times. I've never forgotten his words from when I first read about him. I can't remember when exactly but he was the ONLY shoe designer who was among the very few who were truly influential for decades in those days before Jimmy Choo (when Jimmy Choo owned it!) and Louboutin. Before him there was only Ferragamo! He really is one of the originals among many duplicates and facsimiles.
I so agree with him about longevity and how things shouldn't be too much in the extreme. It all makes sense and I'm so glad he's managed to hold on to his integrity through all the good and bad times.
Teresa
March 6, 2012 at 2:36 pmoh Manolo Manolo<3 of course he's not an strategic person, he's just an ARTIST!!!! everybody loves good pieces of art, like his shoes!! i know someday i'll have a pair 😉
in love with this blog.. following now.
thanks for your comment!
xx
teresa
http://www.trend-ish.com
Little Rus
March 6, 2012 at 2:50 pmThank you for this story! It was wonderful to learn more about him. Have you read his fairy-tale story by Camilla Morton? You can find it on my blog here if you feel like having a look http://fashionedbylove.blogspot.com/2011/11/manolo-blahniks-fashion-fairytale-and.html )
x
Little Rus
March 6, 2012 at 2:50 pmThank you for this story! It was wonderful to learn more about him. Have you read his fairy-tale story by Camilla Morton? You can find it on my blog here if you feel like having a look http://fashionedbylove.blogspot.com/2011/11/manolo-blahniks-fashion-fairytale-and.html )
x
Leslie Quiros
March 6, 2012 at 3:10 pmi've read his interviews and I alaways get inspired by his insights. He truly is an admirable character!
xo,
LMQ
Leslie Quiros
March 6, 2012 at 3:10 pmi've read his interviews and I alaways get inspired by his insights. He truly is an admirable character!
xo,
LMQ
Tabitha
March 6, 2012 at 3:13 pmI love his entire ethos, I didn't know he lived in Bath either, how very elegant and under the radar of him.
Glitterista
March 6, 2012 at 3:39 pmWhat great quotes! It is wonderful, and surprising, to know that he continues to create all of his shoes and has a small family operation. 😉
Chelsea
March 6, 2012 at 4:34 pmI adore Mr Blahnik and his designs as well. I own a pair of the Something Blue shoe, that I wore for the dress rehearsal of my wedding, and love any opportunity I can to wear them (and sometime contrive a reason). I also own several books of this lovely drawings. Fantastic post.
Chelsea (www.hautechildinthecity.com)
Chelsea
March 6, 2012 at 4:34 pmI adore Mr Blahnik and his designs as well. I own a pair of the Something Blue shoe, that I wore for the dress rehearsal of my wedding, and love any opportunity I can to wear them (and sometime contrive a reason). I also own several books of this lovely drawings. Fantastic post.
Chelsea (www.hautechildinthecity.com)
Lindsay @ A Walk in the Closet
March 6, 2012 at 4:41 pmGreat post. I love these quotes but especially the last one. It's interesting you picked that one because he was also quoted recently as saying this:
"I have been approached so many times to do one, but I don't want to work for a big company where I'll have to have lots of meetings where I'm told what I can and can't do," he said. "My niece, Kristina, handles that sort of thing for me – it's just not for me. I was recently contacted by J Crew to do something with them, so I sent them over 45 pairs of shoes, and they announced we were doing a collaboration. I had no idea about it!"
Here's the original article: http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/02/23/manolo-blahnik-on-keira-knightley
Lol! What a PR boo boo for J.Crew but I'm kind of glad to hear he had no idea and that he hasn't gone from saying those quotes you highlighted to then doing the complete opposite.
Lindsay @ A Walk in the Closet
March 6, 2012 at 4:41 pmGreat post. I love these quotes but especially the last one. It's interesting you picked that one because he was also quoted recently as saying this:
"I have been approached so many times to do one, but I don't want to work for a big company where I'll have to have lots of meetings where I'm told what I can and can't do," he said. "My niece, Kristina, handles that sort of thing for me – it's just not for me. I was recently contacted by J Crew to do something with them, so I sent them over 45 pairs of shoes, and they announced we were doing a collaboration. I had no idea about it!"
Here's the original article: http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/02/23/manolo-blahnik-on-keira-knightley
Lol! What a PR boo boo for J.Crew but I'm kind of glad to hear he had no idea and that he hasn't gone from saying those quotes you highlighted to then doing the complete opposite.
Susan
March 6, 2012 at 4:43 pmAwesome and honest interview form Mr. Blahnik. Although I don't think my wide feet would ever fit into his beautiful shoes, it is still nice to goo-goo gaa-gaa over them and I got no problem doing just so.
Susan
March 6, 2012 at 4:43 pmAwesome and honest interview form Mr. Blahnik. Although I don't think my wide feet would ever fit into his beautiful shoes, it is still nice to goo-goo gaa-gaa over them and I got no problem doing just so.
Lily
March 6, 2012 at 4:59 pmHe is so fabulous…love this !
xxLily
goldandgray.com
Lily
March 6, 2012 at 4:59 pmHe is so fabulous…love this !
xxLily
goldandgray.com
lexi920
March 6, 2012 at 5:16 pmI want his shoes even more now – what a delightful man!
lexi920
March 6, 2012 at 5:16 pmI want his shoes even more now – what a delightful man!
newpetite
March 6, 2012 at 5:24 pmThanks for the good read!
newpetite
March 6, 2012 at 5:24 pmThanks for the good read!
Mary Ann
March 6, 2012 at 5:25 pmI see he's got my Disso booties on display with Martha! It's such a cute shoe, but also was an impulse sale buy and I don't wear them as much as I should. I'm trying to sell them, size 38! 😉
DSK Steph
March 6, 2012 at 5:31 pmI love how he does what he wants. lol His way seems to be working out for him! 🙂
chanello
March 6, 2012 at 5:58 pmCoincidentally, the 1st pair of fnacy shoes for me were also the Carolyns! I still wear mine after 6 years as I find them the MOST comfortable and work appropriate. Always Manolo, never Louboutin for interviews/court (too flashy).
Anna
March 6, 2012 at 6:36 pmHe has such an amazing personality. I'd die not only for the shoes, but also one of the drawings – they are so pretty.
Mr Blahnik definitely has style inside and out!
Oh Sunnie Day
March 6, 2012 at 6:51 pmI love the interview! & those show drawings!!
xx
Jen
Oh Sunnie Day
March 6, 2012 at 6:51 pmI love the interview! & those show drawings!!
xx
Jen
makeupandpearls
March 6, 2012 at 7:42 pmbath is an amazing little town – he has such good taste! love your roundup and congrats again on your blog birthday!
Mary Jo at TrustYourStyle
March 6, 2012 at 7:45 pmI love his integrity, his hands-on approach is why the brand has lasted and not gotten diluted. But sadly the irony is that selling more affordable things is how a lot of people earn the money to buy his shoes…haha, the fashion world is full of these conundrums!
xo Mary Jo
Laura Frost
March 6, 2012 at 7:52 pmWow! I never knew much about Blahnik. Thanks for putting this together. It was really fun to read.
http://www.littlelaurascloset.com
Laura Frost
March 6, 2012 at 7:52 pmWow! I never knew much about Blahnik. Thanks for putting this together. It was really fun to read.
http://www.littlelaurascloset.com
easy petite looks
March 6, 2012 at 8:19 pmHuh, I don't really get/ agree with some of this. His comment about the 'super rich' was odd. What exactly is the difference between rich, super rich, and uh, mega rich? And I disagree about the style comment. I think style is too subjective. Maybe I'm just in a contradictory mood, lol
easy petite looks
March 6, 2012 at 8:19 pmHuh, I don't really get/ agree with some of this. His comment about the 'super rich' was odd. What exactly is the difference between rich, super rich, and uh, mega rich? And I disagree about the style comment. I think style is too subjective. Maybe I'm just in a contradictory mood, lol
jenn
March 6, 2012 at 8:56 pmwhat a fantastic collection of quotes! i too bought my first pair of manolo's influenced by sex & the city. the mary janes from the vogue – creepy editor episode. i have hardly worn them but they meant so much for to me than just the shoe itself. thank you for posting! xo – jenn
http://cocowouldapprove.blogspot.com/
jenn
March 6, 2012 at 8:56 pmwhat a fantastic collection of quotes! i too bought my first pair of manolo's influenced by sex & the city. the mary janes from the vogue – creepy editor episode. i have hardly worn them but they meant so much for to me than just the shoe itself. thank you for posting! xo – jenn
http://cocowouldapprove.blogspot.com/
pjlatte
March 6, 2012 at 9:25 pmHe's so charming! I just got my first pair of Manolo Blahnik not long ago and I was very excited to see your post today on him. I can't help but smile when I read "Men tell me that I've saved their marriages. It costs them a fortune in shoes, but it's cheaper than a divorce." Great post, Kat! ♥
Christie
March 6, 2012 at 9:25 pmWhat a lovely post! The shoe collection he has featured on Martha makes me convet over it!
– xoxo
Katherine
March 6, 2012 at 9:31 pmYes I think taken on its own that super rich comment can seem odd – I think it's a more general statement about the rise of more and more of the "super rich" in the past few decades and what that influx of "new money" has changed in the realms of fashion, taste, etc
The Jones
March 6, 2012 at 9:43 pmHe is amazing…that shoe collection is really beautiful…and he's such a charming and delightful man!
<3 Cambria
jupefashion.blogspot.com
LN
March 6, 2012 at 10:12 pmWhat a great collection of quotes. I love that he's very simple and focused on his design. One of my favorite quotes is the one where he says you can wear anything if you are stylish. So true!
Mrs C
March 6, 2012 at 10:42 pmGreat read! As much as I like SATC and Mr Blahnik's creations, I can never wear his shoes 🙁 They are too narrow for my feet.
http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/
Geri Looker
March 6, 2012 at 11:29 pmMy daughter bought me the book Manolo Blanik The Elves and The Shoemaker at Christmas. I am still hopeful that one day………
Latkes and Dim Sum
March 6, 2012 at 11:34 pmThank you for this post – I remember the WSJ article well. I love the timelessness about many of his shoes (and have a similar experience as you had with the Carolynes – just not a good fit for me!). Have you tried his plain pumps? I find them so flattering.
Haus and Home
March 7, 2012 at 1:58 amLoved this and you featuring his quotes.
cinzee
March 7, 2012 at 5:38 amoh what a great post!!!!!!! I've heard about MK since the sex and the city days too (haven't we all,lol) but i gotta say, his shoes are really lovely, its like a piece of art! I've not bought any MK shoes before and i've got a question, are they really not painful at all? hehehe
I love these interviews that you included, Manolo really sounds easy going and cool;)
And that illustration of the MK heels is soo beautiful!!!
Btw, congrats on your one year blogging aniversary:) You got great stuff to say all the time so i'm not surprised you that your numbers of followers grow bigger and bigger. Keep up the good work!!!!:D
Cinz
http://cinzee.wordpress.com
Cinz
March 7, 2012 at 5:40 amoops i meant to say MB and not MK for Manolo Blahniks!!! Please excuse me, i must be too tired or i was thinking of Michael Kors for some reason???;P
Mrs C
March 7, 2012 at 8:26 amHe reminds me of Van Gogh.. art is all that matters 🙂
http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/
Cindy
March 7, 2012 at 9:43 amHe's such an awesome guy and surprisingly down to earth!
Elina0408
March 7, 2012 at 11:18 amI love his designs too! He lives in Bath in England??
Elina0408
March 7, 2012 at 11:24 amI googled it, it's time to pay a visit to my niece who is studying there!!!
Ivana
March 7, 2012 at 12:49 pmHe is so amazing and so inspiring! He´s always stayed true to his aesthetics, even with the trend of insane platforms being all the rage, and I really admire him for that. Plus, his designs are always so feminine and beautiful! I´ve been saving up my pennies to buy my first pair for my wedding, hope it´ll work out 🙂
xx Ivana
Macarons and Pearls