Manolo Blahnik [Paperback]

Colin McDowell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 2003

For many years Manolo Blahnik was the open secret of the fashion world, his shoes de rigueur for any stylish woman. Then, with Absolutely Fabulous and Sex in the City, he became world-famous to millions. In this fully authorized book, Colin McDowell uncovers the man behind the label. Blahnik claims that his decision to be a shoemaker was 'one of those accidents of life. I could just as well have been a milliner or a fashion designer'. His choices were wide but he chose shoemaking and started his highly successful business in 1972. From the beginning Blahnik's shoes reflected his style, wit and flair. He draws shoes with a verve that is uniquely his own, capturing their spirit and mood in a few deft lines. As a total perfectionist, Manolo Blahnik controls every process in the production of his shoes and still makes the last of every shoe in a collection with his own hands. He has made shoes for everyone from Bianca Jagger, Jerry Hall and Diana Ross to Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Victoria Beckham. His designs have been described by Madonna as 'wonderful - they last longer than sex'. He also creates shoes for many designers including John Galliano at Christian Dior and Oscar de la Renta. It is therefore of no surprise that the word 'Manolos' has become synonymous with the finest footwear in the world. Through his informative text Colin McDowell takes us into Blahnik's factory and homes to show us his life and his work and, combined with a stunning selection of photographs reveals this ultimate fashion icon as never seen before.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Spanish designer Manolo Blahnik creates the most sought-after shoes in the world. On a supermodel, a Manolo Blahnik shoe completes the perfect ensemble; placed on a pedestal, it becomes a minor art object. Colin McDowell's Manolo Blahnik attempts to capture the genuine excitement generated by Blahnik's creations. It is only partly successful. The breathy writing style never rises above fashion-magazine gossip, though the shoes themselves extend beyond fashion into art and sculpture--even metaphysical meaning. The maestro never puts a foot wrong. The finest materials, gorgeous color, and a sense of the theatrical combine in elegant originals that consistently surprise. We are told that, besides their whimsicality and sexiness, his shoes are extremely comfortable and well made.

Blahnik, "sculptor and engineer," carves each wooden last himself, normally from beech, and supervises the Italian workshops that turn his designs into treasures. His originality may be explained by his lack of formal training, but it is also clear that Blahnik's success is founded on hard work, eccentricity, and boundless energy. The book's photographs and the designer's drawings (especially effective) present the shoes as formal objects in settings replete with rose petals and fashion-photographer textures. As a glimpse into the mechanics of the world of high fashion, Manolo Blahnik works well. Readers interested in contemporary culture, celebrities, and the master's thoughts on toe cleavage and other mysteries will rave about it. --John Stevenson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

COLIN MCDOWELL is a fashion historian and writer. He is a regular broadcaster on television and radio, and has written for every major newspaper and fashion magazine in London, most frequently for The Sunday Times. He is also the author of two popular novels. He lives in Kent.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Orion Publishing (April 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841881333
• ISBN-13: 978-1841881331
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,677,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars deeply disappointed, August 4, 2002

By 

Beverly Campbell (chicago, illinois USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manolo Blahnik (Hardcover)

as a long time manolo aficionado, i was deeply disappointed in colin mc dowell's tribute to one of the greatest artistic geniuses of our time, manolo blanhnik. as geniuses go, blahnik's a very complicated man, and i feel that mc dowell doesn't begin to do him justice. i came away from the book wanting to know more. besides that, i don't feel the photographs and sketches were necessarily indicative of blahnik's best work.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Boring with a Capital "B", March 22, 2003

By 

Amazing Grace (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manolo Blahnik (Hardcover)

... I bought this book. I have a foot fetish, shoe fascination. I make shoes. I love this man. I came away from this book feeling that this man was very shallow.

The photos were disappointing. Those of us with shoe obsessions won't be satisfied with this book. The shoes shown aren't original; the manner in which they are shown isn't either.

Perhaps I was too hungry for something as original as Manolo.

5.0 out of 5 stars Picture Pages for the Moden Girl, May 28, 2003

By 

Barbara A. Bernat (P-ville) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manolo Blahnik (Hardcover)

For the Carrie Bradshaw in all of us! Carrie taught the world how to say Manolo and now we are all obssesed it's a great keepsake for the shoe attict in all of us women!