Manolo Blahnik is a world famous designer and art director of the Manolo Blahnik brand. He earned his place at the top of the fashionable Olympus thanks to the production of women's shoes. Shoes from Manolo Blahnik are a combination of unsurpassed classics, luxury and beauty.
Manolo Blahnik: biography
Manolo Blahnik was born on November 28, 1942 in the Canary Islands. His father was the owner of a huge banana plantation on the island of Tenerife, the family lived separately, far from the city. Nevertheless, the parents paid great attention to the upbringing and education of their children.
Together with his sister Evangelina, Manolo has developed an interest in art and fashion since childhood. This craving is instilled in them by their mother - a Spanish woman. She subscribes from America the cult magazines "Glamor" and "Vogue", annually travels to Paris and brings children beautiful designer things.
The boy will also inherit his love for women's shoes from his mother. The woman loves to sew traditional Catalan espadrilles. Being involved in the process of creating shoes, the boy always strives to add something of his own.
When Manalo turns 11, his parents move to Geneva. The mother wants her son to become a lawyer, and the young man enters the University of Geneva at the Faculty of International Law. But after a year it becomes clear that Manolo has no interest in jurisprudence and he is transferred to the Faculty of Architecture.
But even here the young man does not find himself, and in search of his creative potential, he moves to Paris. There he entered the Academy of Arts at the Louvre School. To support himself and pay for his tuition, Manolo works as a salesman in a vintage shop.
Manolo Blahnik: career
Manolo Blahnik's career begins with the English store Zapata, where he is invited to work as a designer. In London, he creates beautiful sketches of clothes and shoes, writes articles for the Italian magazine "Vogue". The designer's circle of communication is expanding, now he is a welcome guest at fashion shows and social events. At one of the evenings, he meets Pablo Picasso's daughter Paloma, who in turn recommends him to Diana Vreeland, the cult editor of the American Vogue magazine.
Manolo travels to New York with his sketches. Diana Vreeland highly appreciates the creativity of the young designer, she is especially attracted by the designer's shoes. It is on her that she advises to focus.
Encouraged by the flattering review, Manolo returns to London. In 1973, the first Manolo Blahnik store opens. The boutique is quickly becoming popular with fashion critics and celebrities. Each new collection of designer shoes causes a real sensation, fashionistas in London dream of getting the iconic shoes.
In addition to his production, Manolo begins to collaborate with renowned fashion houses. Among them are Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, John Galliano, Yves Sent Laurent, Oscar de la Renta.
By 1975 Manolo Blahnik became a world famous designer. Fashion critics call him a shoe icon of style and taste. In 1979, Manolo Blahnik opens in the heart of New York City on Madison Avenue.
Each collection of Manolo Blahnik becomes a true work of art. Dictating shoe trends to the whole world, he overturns the idea of the usual shoe design. Drawing inspiration from history, culture, nature, Manolo creates shoes that embody beauty and luxury. Pointed toe high-heeled shoes become the brand's trademark.
In the early 2000s, the cult TV series "Sex and the City" brought popularity to the brand. The main character of the film, Kerri Bradshaw, has a real passion for expensive shoes and Manolo Blahnik shoes. Fashion critics have called the designer's blue pumps, made especially for the series, the fifth star of Sex and the City.
In 2011, the designer's shoes became a decoration for the wedding dress of Bella Swan, the main character of the popular Twilight movie saga.
Today Manolo Blahnik is not just a fashionable footwear brand, it is the embodiment of elegance, luxury and style. Among the designer's fans are Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Lady Gaga, Victoria Beckham, Angelina Jolie and many other celebrities.
Manolo Blahnik: personal life
Manolo Blahnik devoted his entire life to creativity and work. The designer's family and faithful companion are his sister Evangelina and her daughter. In 2017, Manolo Blahnik celebrated his 75th anniversary! Despite his considerable age, he still continues to create and delight women with his shoes of unsurpassed beauty.
