Following on from our Spanish theme last week we thought it timely to do our next designer spotlight on Spain’s most famous shoe designer. Who doesn’t want a pair of Manolo’s in their shoe collection? And rightfully so too! Voted on more than one occasion as the most comfortable heel on the market, Manolo Blahnik’s BB Pump obviously hits the mark with what women are looking for in a comfortable heeled shoe.
Manolo was born in Santa Cruz de la Parma in the Canary Islands and was initially homeschooled before heading off to a Swiss boarding school in his younger years. Interestingly, Manolo didn’t actually train as a shoe designer. After acquiring a degree in Literature and Architecture at the University of Geneva, Manolo moved to Paris to study Stage Set Design at The Louvre Art School, and Art at Ecole Des Beaux-Arts.
A chance meeting in 1970 with Diana Vreeland, the editor at that time of U.S Vogue, put Manolo in the direction of shoe design and manufacture. She has been quoted as saying “Young man, make things, make accessories, make shoes”. The young Manolo obviously listened to her advice and embarked on his career in designer footwear.
We can also thank Manolo’s mother for inspiring her young son as she apparently loved fashion and actually made her own shoes! He recalls watching his mother create footwear made of beautiful silks and brocades. Perhaps his youth is responsible for the iconic Swan pump which has to be one of the most beautiful wedding shoes ever made?
Manolo is known for his hands on approach to shoe design and production. After he designs a shoe he handcrafts them on hand carved wooden lasts which he apparently carves himself. We’re unsure whether the 70 year old Manolo still does this but we applaud the craftsmanship and artistry involved here!
He is also known to oversea every step of mass production to ensure his shoes look exactly like his original creation. He is fastidious when it comes to the quality of the materials used in his footwear and a single pair can take up to 2 weeks to produce. It is for this reason that the numbers of shoes in each production run are limited and there is a higher price point. Quality costs money and in this case it is worth it. Take a look at another iconic Manolo design, the Chaos pump –
Carrie Bradshaw loved them in Sex In The City and Anna Wintour is rarely seen in anything but. We have also spotted one of our Who’s Well-Heeled crew Olivia Palmero wearing a pair of blue Manolo Hangisis more than once while out and about. They are obviously comfortable!
So what is it that makes them so comfortable? The lasts that Manolo Blahnik’s shoes are crafted on are obviously of a high quality and contour the average foot well. If a last is a poor shape or overly narrow in the toe box for example, then the shoe that is made on that last will pinch the forefoot and toes making it very uncomfortable. Forget having any form of digital deformity such as a bunion or claw toe on top of that!
Lovers of Manolo’s state that BB Pump is stable, supportive and fits the foot well allowing longer hours of weight bearing comfortably. We are not certain that feet with obvious toe deformities would suit the BB Pump, but it would be suitable for the average foot.
For those of you with average feet and a love of quality footwear a pair of Manolo Blahniks is a must in your wardrobe. They will last many years if they are well cared for and will stand the tests of time in the fashion stakes as well. A pair of vintage Manolo’s? Yes Please!
The Well-Heeled loves you Manolo and we hope you keep up your incredible work for many years to come.
Until next time,
E&E
Image credits – Pinterest. Contact hello@the-well-heeled.com to have your image credited
