What do you think of when you think of Manolo Blahnik? Well, my introduction came in my early twenties while watching Sex and The City fastidiously like it was my full-time job. No seriously. I watched every single season within the span of one summer.  It was like a disease, but a great, glorious, fashion disease.  If I have to go down dying, this is the way I would like to go down in stilettos and fabulous gowns.

Blahnik was born in the Canary Islands in Spain and went on to graduate from the University of Geneva and studied art in Paris.  He then relocated to London in 1968 to work for a fashion boutique and wrote for Vogue Italia.  When he showcased his portfolio of fashion and set designs to Diana Vreeland, she advised him to only focus on footwear.  This was his gift and she knew it.  Blahnik focused on the stiletto heel at a time in the 1970s when this wasn’t the trend at all.  This has remained a primary focus of the brand in the years since.  He has been a shoe god since this time and his styles remain timeless. He has boutiques all over the world, was awarded an honorary degree from the Bath Spa University, and has been annointed as Commander of the Most Excellent Order British Empire for his contributions to the English fashion industry.

“You put high heels on and you change.”
–Manolo Blahnik

Courtesy of Society Stylist, Wikipedia, Manolo Blahnik.org