Iconic Designer Manolo Blahnik Shares His Current Inspirations

During shelter-in-place around the world, Forbes reached out to shoe designer extraordinaire Manolo Blahnik and spoke with the legend from his home in Bath, England. With a career spanning over nearly fifty years, the Spanish-born designer has become one of the world’s most influential footwear designers. “Shoes help transform a woman,” says Blahnik. His designs and sketches have appeared in museum exhibitions and numerous books (the latest being The Art of Shoes in 2017). He’s collaborated with director Sofia Coppola on the costumes for her 2006 film Marie Antoinette (the film went onto win the Academy Award for Best Costume). He’s also an Honorary CBE and has won awards like the Footwear News Lifetime Achievement Award and the British Fashion Council Outstanding Achievement Award.

The artist and designer has been doing lots of reading and drawing while stuck at home and he shares some new, exclusive sketches with us. Herewith, his quarantine questionnaire.

 What music are you listening to as a reprieve?

I am in the moment of Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Jefferson Airplane. I have been listening to them simply because it was another time, another period when I was very young and the music makes me really happy. Jefferson Airplane and Grace Slick singing “White Rabbit.” Her voice was fabulous. I am not nostalgic, but you know listening to this music makes me very happy.

What are your favorite films and books?

My favorite book is Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s The Leopard. I have worshipped that man’s writing since I was a child. I spent long nights listening to my mother read the novel. And the film by Luchino Visconti is so beautiful. I always go back to The Leopard.

Museums to visit?

I am addicted to museums! Some of my favorite include The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, The Wallace Collection in London, the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg and El Prado in Madrid.

What’s your go-to news source during this period?

The New York Times and The Financial Times—and The Wall Street Journal when they have it.

What’s your go-to meal to cook these days?

I don’t cook that well really, but steamed vegetables and lentil soup.

How are you staying sane right now?

I am quite fine by myself, sketching, reading watching films and documentaries and listening to music.

What’s been the easiest or the hardest adjustment?

Not being able to go out and get books and doing the things I love.

Are you sketching? If so, what is inspiring you?

Yes I sketch most days. I have been designing new men’s styles [In July 2018, Blahnik opened his first ever men’s store in London]. It’s difficult to be inspired at the moment but it’s now spring and new colors are making me very happy. 

What’s on your to-do list once this is all over? 

To go to the movies!

What will be your first meal out?

In New York, Majorelle at the Lowell Hotel. It’s a marvelous place and has the best food in the city for my tastes.

First trip?

I try to avoid trips as much as I can, I hate airports!