Manolo Blanik Black Satin Leather Cocktail Open Stripe Shoes
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Soles and Heels have been restored new.
- Seller Location:Bilbao, ES
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1812222261622
Manolo Blahnik
There may be no designer with as wide a breadth of references as the fashion and footwear icon Manolo Blahnik, whose stated sources of inspiration for the creation of his sublime shoes include — but are not limited to — Diana Vreeland, ancient Greece, 21st-century architecture, Spanish cinema and Piet Mondrian.
It’s a fittingly robust list for someone who has spent a lifetime in the self-described “pursuit of beauty.”
Born in 1942 in Spain’s Canary Islands, Blahnik had an early exposure to shoemaking: During World War II, his designer-shoe-loving mother enlisted a local cobbler to teach her to make her own footwear from available materials. The young Blahnik was intrigued.
After briefly studying law in Switzerland with the intention of becoming a diplomat, Blahnik moved to Paris, where he took a job in a vintage clothing shop while studying art at École des Beaux-Arts as well as set design at the art school of the Louvre. It wasn’t until years later, however, that he would realize his calling as a shoe designer. In the late 1960s, Blahnik relocated to London, where he worked for both the Sunday Times and Vogue. In the early 1970s, the renowned American Vogue editor Diana Vreeland saw his sketches and urged him to pursue footwear.
After a debut collection for celebrated fashion designer Ossie Clark — featuring models that Blahnik had gotten to know through his work in the fashion industry, among them Twiggy — received acclaim, he created footwear for illustrious dressmaker Jean Muir and apprenticed with professional shoemakers in London to perfect his craft. By 1973 he had bought out the shoe boutique Zapata and made it his own. Bloomingdale’s introduced him to the American market with a collection a few years later.
Vintage Manolo Blahnik shoes are famous for their theatricality, as the designer is well known for the whimsical, fantastical elements he brings to footwear, often in an explosive palette. “I have always approached color in a bold way, from all angles and variations,” he once said. “Always searching for the poetry of an impossible color.” Tack on teetering height as a trademark that took shape from early on.
“Those poor girls couldn’t walk properly, but people loved it,” the designer recalled of his early models. “Sir Cecil Beaton said to me, ‘Is this a new way of walking?’” To take it from pop culture, it indeed might have been: People are still talking about the night that Bianca Jagger dazzled, horseback, at Studio 54 in a Halston dress and Blahnik shoes on her 30th birthday, and, decades later, the footwear icon was rendered a household name during the long-running television series Sex and the City.
Today, Manolo Blahnik remains a virtual synonym for luxury shoes. Find a range of his footwear and handbags on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Bilbao, Spain
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Red Strappy high heel platform Shoes by Miu MiuBy Miu MiuLocated in Bilbao, ESRed Open Toe Stiletto Shoe by Miu Miu Soles will be set brand new for good and waterproof. Year 2006 The original box is not available. Miu Miu is the most unrestrained portrayal of...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Platform Sandals Stella McCartney Cotton and Patent Leather Sandals with WoodenBy Stella McCartneyLocated in Bilbao, ESPlatform Sandals Stella McCartney Cotton and Patent Leather Sandals with Wooden Heel Made In: Italy Color: Black Materials: Cotton and Patent Leather Marked Size: 39,5 Europe Heel ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
- TOD'S brown ballerinas with round toe and lace bowLocated in Bilbao, ESTOD'S brown ballerinas Two-tone print, round toe, bow, contrasting applications, rubber sole with studs, flat heel Size 39 Our Company has a Fashion Division is specialised in Euro...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Sergio Rossi Snakeskin ShoesBy Sergio RossiLocated in Bilbao, ESSergio Rossi Snakeskin Women High Heel Shoes Super High Stiletto Heels Red Made In: Italy Color: Red Material: Snackeskin Marked Size: 39,5 Europe Heel Height: 12 cm/ 4,72 inches B...Category
1990s Italian Shoes
- Angradema super high bootsLocated in Bilbao, ESAngradema super high boots Super high yellow boots with black polka dots, thin heel, pointed finish and a vertical ruffle that runs along the entire shaft As a starting point, Angra...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Shoes
- Black Velvet Sandals from Gianvito RossiBy Gianvito RossiLocated in Bilbao, ESBlack velvet sandals with open toe and crossed straps. Made In: Italy Color: Black Material: Velvet Marked Size: 38 Europe Heel Height: 11,5 cm/ 4,53 inches To introduce you to the ...Category
1990s Italian Shoes
- YSL Champagne Colored Satin Strappy Thick Straw Wedges - 41By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Palm Beach, FLYSL Champagne Colored Satin Strapped Thick Straw Wedge - 41. These thick, straw, wedges have metallic champagne colored satin straps interweaving on the top of the shoes. They are in...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoes
- Alexandre Birman Ivory and Gray Python Flats - 36By Alexandre BirmanLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThese Alexandre Birman flats are gray and ivory python. The back is stretchy and the toe is rounded. They are in very good condition with some of the scales being lifted and minor bo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- Salvatore Ferragamo Brown Patent and Green Snake Loafers - 5By Salvatore FerragamoLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThese Salvatore Ferragamo loafers are brown patent leather with green snake skin. They have brown stitching and are a size 5. They are in excellent c...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Jimmy Choo Shimmery Silver Slingback Heels with Bedazzlement - 37By Jimmy ChooLocated in West Palm Beach, FLJimmy Choo Shimmery Silver Slingback Heels with Bedazzlement - 37. These heels have a shimmery silver color. On the slingback, there is a rhinestone ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Manolo Blahnik Black Satin Strappy Heels - 36.5By Manolo BlahnikLocated in West Palm Beach, FLManolo Blahnik Black Satin Strappy Heels - 36.5. These beautiful heels black satin with criss-crossed straps. On the ankle strap there is a gold cl...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Chanel Black and White Limited Edition & Crocodile Alligator Ballet 39.5 FlatsBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLLimited Edition Chanel Crocodile Cap Toe Ballet Flats in a size 39.5 or 9.5 US . This style is a rare find that is unavailable in stores. These fabulous flats are a creation of croc...Category
2010s Italian Shoes