If you love shoes as much as we do, then there's a pretty good chance that you've lusted after a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels at some point or another.
There's something about the mix of classic shapes and fun details (pom-poms! feathers!) that evoke confidence and a keen understanding of style from every woman you see wearing them. This week, the London-based designer hit New York City to take a moment to look back on his illustrious 43-year career—from dressing the likes of Bianca Jagger for Studio 54 to becoming a household name, thanks to Sex and the City—to launch his latest book: Manolo Blahnik: Fleeting Gestures and Obsessions. The tome examines his exuberant designs and amazing history in the business.
*The man, the legend: Manolo Blahnik.*While in town, Blahnik also joined the ranks of Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors, and Dries van Noten in being honored by the Couture Council for the Museum at FIT with the Award for Artistry. He's the first footwear designer to ever be bestowed this honor.
With all of this excitement, we sat down with the King of Heels to catch up on all things style, the enduring Carrie Bradshaw effect, and his obsession with *the Man Repeller *blogger Leandra Medine.
But first, some shoe porn:
__Glamour: Having been in the industry for four decades, you must have had some incredible experiences. Can you share a memorable moment?
__
Manolo Blahnik: Oh my God, I have so many stories I can't even remember! I guess I always have had a very special excitement when I did my first shoes in 1971 for Ossie Clark...to see the [models on the runway] walking in the shoes, it was incredible. We had a small shop [at the time in London] and lists of people asking for the shoes. It was extraordinary.
Bianca Jagger famously arriving to her 1971 birthday party at Studio 54.
__Glamour: Can you tell us about designing the shoes Bianca Jagger wore for her epic birthday party at Studio 54, where she entered on a horse? That must have been incredible! __
M.B.: Oh my God, yes! Indeed I did. Bianca was wearing my shoes all the time. I was very fortunate and she was one of my most obvious and most visible customers. Bianca is one of the most extraordinary women I know.
Glamour: Congratulations on this amazing award from FIT! How does it feel to be the first shoe designer to win it?
M.B.: I didn't even know I was the first one to receive it! Someone told me the other day, and they said "Oh my God, how exciting!"
Glamour: Speaking of design and designers, is there anyone out there you admire in fashion today?
M.B.: Once several years ago, I saw, this girl, she was a pop star...I was very shocked and very interested by her. [It was Victoria Beckham]. When somebody wants to work and believes in something, it doesn't matter if you're well known or rich or whatever it is, if you really want to do it, and she's doing it. She's doing it herself. I love that.
Carrie Bradshaw wearing Manolos in SATC.
Glamour: Let's talk about Sex and the City and those famous Mary Janes that Carrie found in the *Vogue *fashion closet. She called them "an urban shoe myth." Do they still exist?
M.B.: Those Mary Janes. Even today, they have been one of my best sellers. It's been 20 years I'm exhausted [of them]! I'm not complaining, but it's the same shoe all over again—but they love it! I don't know why.
Glamour: Both on and offscreen, Sarah Jessica Parker has long loved your shoes. Are you two friends?
M.B.: No, no, no. I met her four times in my life. She gave me the award [at Fashion Group International in October 2002]. She was so sweet; she gave me the award and then the next day she had the baby [James Wilkie Broderick]! Maybe she was too high on the shoes that I provoked the baby to be born the next day! I was shocked. Then I met her another time at another function...I don't know her that well. But I'm very, very, very grateful that she contributed to our growing up in America and in the world. I really love her style. A modern icon, I think she is.
Glamour: Let's go shopping. What three shoe styles should every woman have in her wardrobe?
M.B.: Well, if you want to walk in town a lot, flats are the best, but some women cannot wear flats, so mid-heels are great. You could have also another Mary Jane and a court shoe for the evening. But it should be very extraordinary, full of embroidery full of beautiful silks and whatever. But the three shoes are flats to walk, heels to walk, and maybe two or thee court shoes [evening shoes]. Those are the three shoes you should possess!
Flat styles by Blahnik.
Glamour: If you could offer women any style advice, what would it be?
M.B.: There's nothing more horrible and embarrassing than to see a girl walking badly in high heels. If you just cannot do it, buy something less [high]. I mean, it's too much like Frederick's of Hollywood. I'm really tired of this. Maybe you're not, I am!
Glamour: What style stars are you loving today?
M.B.: Lately, I'm absolutely obsessed with a girl called Karlie Kloss. I like her, she's beautiful! And we've become friends, Ha-ha! Can you imagine an old boy like me being friends with kids like that?
I do love that woman, Leandra Medine. She's divine! I adore her. I really do think she's one of the best things that's in New York. She's got this incredible mind. This is the future. And then that girl Caroline Issa, and then Miroslava Duma! That tiny thing! I've seen her many times at openings and things— she is everywhere. I don't even know how she has time to do everything because she's everywhere in every continent. She's adorable, I love those girls. But my favorite is that Leandra. Leandra, I adore!
Leandra Medine, Caroline Issa, and Miroslava Duma at New York Fashion Week.
