The shoemaker whose first name became a word for a luxury heel.
By Shreya S · Last reviewed 15 November 2026
How did Manolo Blahnik start?
Born in the Canary Islands in 1942, he studied in Geneva and Paris and moved to London. In the early 1970s, on a trip to New York, he showed his drawings to Vogue’s Diana Vreeland, who told him to make shoes. He taught himself, designed shoes for Ossie Clark’s shows, and opened his shop on Old Church Street in Chelsea in 1973. It is still there.
What makes a Manolo a Manolo?
Lightness and balance. His heels are known for being slim and elegant yet comfortable enough to walk in, thanks to careful work on the last and the arch. He still sketches every design himself, and the shoes are made in Italy.
How did Sex and the City make him famous?
Carrie Bradshaw’s obsession with “Manolos” in the late-1990s TV series turned his name into a household word. In the 2008 film, Mr. Big proposes with a pair of blue satin Hangisi pumps with a jewelled buckle, which became the brand’s bestseller and a favourite “something blue” for brides.
Who owns Manolo Blahnik?
The Blahnik family. It is one of the few major luxury shoe brands that has never sold to a big group. His niece, Kristina Blahnik, became chief executive in 2013 and has expanded the company internationally.
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