Heart & Sole
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore|February 2019

Shoe designer extraordinaire Manolo Blahnik reflects on the past for the future.

Heart & Sole

Is there a woman who has never heard of the name, Manolo Blahnik? With the release of his biographical film, Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards, and works currently on display in museums all over the world, the Spanish designer reveals to BAZAAR tales he hasn’t been able to tell until now, and his thoughts on his upcoming collection.

You’ve had many iconic creations to your name. Which of them would you consider as the most memorable during your career?

When I worked with Kansaï Yamamoto in 1971. As we were putting a show together, I was providing the shoes, and we ended up making Japanese geta sandals and called them The Brick. We bought cork around Portobello Market, in acid green and pink python leather. We gathered all these materials from the market, and got everything made within a week. I consider that to be the start of my career but at the time, I did not know exactly if the shoes were good or bad. So of course, I was nervous to show him. Thankfully, though, he liked them and told me so.

Then you went to New York?

I showed Mrs Vreeland my theatre design portfolio. She said, “Wonderful accessories, wonderful objects. Take it further.” So my stumbling into shoe design was really accidental. I was so set on becoming a theatre designer that the thought of being a shoe designer really hadn’t crossed my mind.

How did you feel about being told that?

Well, my mother also designed shoes. Maybe it’s something in my genes? Who knows?

You later ended up in London, where you opened your first boutique. What made you decide to open your first boutique in Chelsea?

This story is from the February 2019 edition of Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 2019 edition of Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HARPER'S BAZAAR SINGAPOREView All
Colour Me Happy
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

Colour Me Happy

Spark joy and confidence in your life with a little colour.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
The Perfect Balance
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

The Perfect Balance

Architect Ian Chee's apartment, on the ground floor of a conservation building, is a masterclass in art, design and perspective.

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2024
ISLE OF STYLE
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

ISLE OF STYLE

Escape to this chic hideaway in Phuket where fashion and cocktails are de rigueur and star spotting by the cabana the perfect time killer.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
THE GOLD STANDARD
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

THE GOLD STANDARD

In the opulent home of Bahareh Badiei, her extravagant vision and personal touch is seen in the lovingly curated artworks, lighting and furniture.

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2024
THE REAL DEAL
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

THE REAL DEAL

A name to watch, the Thai actress, singer and host Toey Jarinporn Joonkiat advocates for self-care and sustainability, with a disarming openness.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
UNQUIET LUXURY
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

UNQUIET LUXURY

Basic beige? We don’t know her. This season, designers are sending forth the most interesting propositions without being shouty about it.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
FUNNY MAN
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

FUNNY MAN

With an Emmy Award under his belt, Malaysian-born Ronny Chieng opens up about taking risks, chasing dreams and pushing for greater diversity of Asian stories in showbiz.

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2024
HOROSCOPE
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

HOROSCOPE

If someone wants to whisk you away on a date or a getaway, you have every right to go along or stay put.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
CRAFTING A BRILLIANT FUTURE
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

CRAFTING A BRILLIANT FUTURE

GRAFF unveils its latest additions to the Laurence Graff Signature collection, which pay tribute to the House's legacy, its founder and his love for the world's most celebrated gemstone—the diamond.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
SPECIAL ORDER
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

SPECIAL ORDER

Avid watch collector, Alvin Chong, talks about his growing collection of custom Cartier timepieces and the very first watch that started it all.

time-read
1 min  |
March 2024