Manolo Blahnik On Why He Would Ban Trainers: “They’re Like Pieces Of Furniture For Your Feet.”

Wearing a pair of Manolos says so many things. One, you have impeccable style; and two, you love shoes that look and feel incredible.“I take pride in ensuring my shoes are imbued with the highest level craftmanship, this is central to everything I do,” Mr Blahnik tells Bazaar Arabia. Here, Manolo shares his loves, likes and pet peeves, with his edition of Bazaar Arabia’s Famous Last Words

Is it more important to be liked or respected?

I hope I am both but I also don’t care if I am neither.

What book changed your life and why?

Marie Antionette, the Stefan Zweig biography. My mother used to read the book to me as a child and since then I have been hooked. She has always been in my mind. Marie Antionette encapsulates all that is elegant to me. I have always been inspired by her love of opulent fabrics and intricate embroideries. Her style has always resonated with me and inspired many of my designs over the years. It was the honour of my life to design shoes for Sophia Coppola’s 2006 film Marie Antionette.

What did your last Spotify Wrapped look like?

When I am working I listen to traditional Moroccan music or something classical. It helps me focus. I also like anything by Janis Joplin. I would also include Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit – it is just fantastic! Rounded off with some Dua Lipa or Rhianna.

What is your motto?

“Keep going, keep going, keep going,” and “Without tradition, we are nothing.” The latter was something that was said by film maker Luchino Visconti at a dinner with Italian editor Anna Piaggi in 1971. These words have stuck with me to this day. My own addition to the saying is: “but with fantasy we are free.” I believe that there is a wonderful freedom in creativity and imagination.

Who are your heroes?

I don’t know about using the word hero but I hold [several] people in very high regard. Brigitte Bardot is my favourite actress and my classic pump the ‘BB’ is named in her honour. The late editor Diana Vreeland played a pivitol role in my career. When I visited her in 1971 and showed her some of my sketches she encouraged me to focus on shoe design and I did – here I am over 50 years later.

What do you consider an overrated virtue?

Patience. I can’t bear to wait too long for things. When it comes to my designs, I design something and want to show it to my customers immediately.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I have an unquenchable curiosity for almost everything, I wouldn’t change it but I suppose it is sometimes exhausting.

What would you ban if you had the chance?

Trainers. I can’t bear them. They are like pieces of furniture on your feet.

If you could be anyone else, who would it be and why?

I am quite happy being myself. I have had the privilege of doing something I love for over 50 years which is very rare. I feel very grateful.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Pierre Marcolini macaroons or cakes are the best and I cannot resist them.

What’s your most treasured possession?

My dogs. I have 12 and they all live with me in the Canary Islands.

What inspires you most about your job?

The artisans that work in our factory just outside of Milan in Northern Italy. I have been working with them for over 40 years and they understand my designs and ideas completelely and bring them to life perfectly. It’s like we have a special language.

What’s your greatest extravagance?

La Prairie cream. It’s expensive but it’s the best.

What trait do you admire most in others?

Kindness, elegance and style.

What experience taught you most about life and why?

Moving to London in the 1970s. I relocated from Paris and found myself in the centre of a new and dynamic creative world. I just loved it. I met so many amazing people like Zandra Rhodes, Ossie Clark and Bianca Jagger who became great friends. London is now my home for much of the time. It is where I have my office and where I still have my original Old Church Street shop that I have had for over 40 years.

What does success really mean to you?

Being able to relax with my 12 dogs on a secluded beach with a fantastic book. That would be wonderful.

If you could only wear one brand for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Anderson and Sheppard, my tailor on Saville Row has made all of my suits for years. I have them in every colour imaginable so I suppose I already wear them most days.

What would you tell your younger self?

Be yourself, always and unequivocally. Don’t focus on trends or worry about other people; I never have and it has served me well throughout my life.

What do you most value in your friends?

A sense of style and sense of humour in equal measure.

Lead image supplied.

From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia May 2025 Issue.