Page 10 - Real Style May 2018

Manolo blahnik
felt very honoured to be able to have the opportunity to meet her. She was an extraordinary char- acter, whom I have always ad- mired and will always. She did great things for this industry and changed the way fashion was perceived. She was a visionary.
RS: If you were to name a shoe style after yourself—Manolo— what would it look like?
MB: It exists! I designed the shoe for myself originally and it’s now been added to the new men’s collection. It’s an oxford brogue in black and white.
RS: What is your typical design routine and has that changed over the years?
MB: It’s a process. First the de- sign is in my mind and I translate it onto paper. Then I go to the factory to sample it. It takes a while until the fit and materials are finalized. And then it finally
arrives in stores. This process can take about six or seven months in total. It hasn’t changed. I still do everything the same!
RS: Besides work, what do you like to spend your time doing? MB: Spending time with my dogs, gardening, and of course sketching!
RS: If for every shoe there is a story, what style (and story) has been your favourite?
MB: I think it would have to be the shoes I designed for [1970s designer] Ossie Clark. It was my very first big opportunity and as you can imagine I was very nervous. For this occasion, I de- signed an ankle strap round toe shoe with a block heel—I called the design “Ossie.” However, it could have been my last job! I didn’t put steel to support the heel, so when the models where walking down the catwalk, they
were swinging and not walking very stable. I was completely shocked but it turned out every- body loved it! What a relief.
RS: What shoe style should we have ready for summer and what style should we avoid?
MB: I love a mule; so easy you can throw it on and off—divine for summer. I don’t like platforms. I never have and never will.
RS: What do you think your cus- tomers value most?
MB: I think our customers pay more attention to quality rather than quick fashion. A beautiful handmade piece that lasts for- ever is more valuable and I think our customers appreciate that.
RS: What should someone con- sider before starting a career as a shoe designer?
MB: Work, work, and more work! Without hard work you see no results. Also believe in what you do [and] put all your passion in it. If you don’t believe in it, no one else will do.
RS: What do you continue to love about designing shoes? MB:TobeabletodowhatIlove every day and in the way that I want. I adore the creative free- dom I have and all the time I en- tertain my imagination to come up with beautiful objects, which also have a function and make people happy. Could there be a better job?!
10 Real Style May 2018
photos, Manolo Blahnik