"If God had wanted women to wear flats, he wouldn't have created Manolo Blahnik." This quote from Alexandra Shulman, the former editor-in-chief of British Vogue, pretty much sums up what the Spanish shoe designer's heels are all about: at least not for convenience.
Anke Schipp
Editor in the "Life" department of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday newspaper.
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One is all the more surprised about the latest cooperation “Manolo Blahnik for Birkenstock”: on the one hand the down-to-earth brand with the comfortable buckle shoes, on the other hand the luxury brand with the high heels, known as “Manolos” on Sarah Jessica’s feet Parker became the main character of a television series in "Sex and the City".
This goes together like drinking unsweetened carrot juice with a portion of oysters.
On the other hand, Manolo Blahnik's career began in exactly the same way, namely according to the design motto: From comfortable to glamorous.
Growing up on the Canary Island of La Palma, the now 79-year-old began decorating simple, flat espadrilles with coins and colorful stones as a child.
His parents actually wanted him to be a diplomat, but he began to study art, worked for "Vogue" and had a meteoric rise as a shoe designer with his capricious models.
At the beginning of the process, says Manolo, there is always the drawing.
The ideas usually come to him at night when he is asleep.
That's why there are papers and pencils next to his bed.
And often when he wakes up in the morning he thinks: "What the hell is that?" Then the idea of the glamor sandal was probably on his dessert table one morning.
Blahnik adorned the Birkenstock classics Arizona and Boston as well as his pumps: with crystal buckles and luxurious materials such as velvet and smooth leather, available in the colors fuchsia, royal blue and black and in stores from March 24th.
Everyone can wear these shoes, Blahnik explains in a small film on the website: "You can even get married in them, they are so beautiful!" He rejoices.
Maybe God wanted it differently after all: that women wear flat shoes.