Wow, what an interesting night this was. I had a wonderful evening, an evening I wont forget, like ever. Meeting Manolo Blahnik has been such a great omen and start to the year ahead. The event was hosted by Vogue and was a private event held in Burlington avenue to commemorate Mr Blahnik’s second store opening in Mayfair. The event was beautifully decorated, with beautful Manolo’s positioned elegantly in their clear glass hatches. The entree consisted of great canapés and cocktails which the lovely staff provided all evening.
Manolo’s Love affair began with Burlington arcade when he was a child, he has said he loved the entrance and how the beadles made him feel so welcome, which has always been coupled with an air of intimacy about the environment, of which he adored. Burlington arcade boasts of being an elegant district that has history and tradition, which I feel alot of places in London have lost (I won’t be mean and mention those!) Manolo has always been a huge fan of London and has fond childhood memories of famous english litrature being read to him by his mother at bedtime which included Dickens, Enid Blyton and his father immersed in Churchill. Inspired by fine art and luxury Manolo for me will always be one of my favourite designers as he just embodies everything a designer represents for me, I’m sure if he ever did a ready to wear range, it would just be outstanding.
Growing up as a fourteen year old watching Sex and City and how Carrie treasured her Manolo’s, made me fascinated with Manolo, being in his presence made me feel in awe. From Rihanna to Anna Wintour wearing his shoes, he had come a long way from being an architect to then becoming the most famous shoe designer in the world. My question of the night to him was ‘what advice would you give to new emerging designers’, to which he replied ‘Keep going and whatever you do, dont stop’ A simple yet direct statement that many can resonate with.
After Manolo gave his talk and answered a few more questions from the press he went into his very new, buzzing store to sign Manolos and Books. I had politely asked him for a photo to which he had put his arm around me and said of course darling, anything for you’ I totally spazzed out and didnt care if he had said this to every Tom, Dick and Harry fan of his, he had said it to ME!
One thing I had learnt about Mr Blahnik that night was that he is extremely humble and grateful for his success. He could easily be a snob like everyone else in this industry but he wasnt.
“Anybody can wear my shoes,” he nodded. “Anyone. It’s about transformation when you put them on. My woman is usually someone strong; someone who just doesn’t even think about it. They wear the shoes and they just become themselves. I love Rihanna – the way she moves, she’s a beauty. When I see the reaction women have to my shoes, even in the store, of course it makes me feel great.”
He walked out into his chaueferred Mercedez as he departed he waved at us, to which I declared my admiration, ‘We love you Mr Blahnik!’ he blew kisses back, and thanked us. I will never forget this moment in my life and I hope one day we meet again, of which I’m sure. Next on the list is Karl of course and Mr Louboutin. I am super excited to recieve an invitation for the limited editon Manolo’s for burlington arcade which I will share on instagram as soon as my appointment has gone through! I cant wait to show you guys. ?
Carpe Diem Mermaids an Mermen,
Love Sasha
1 comment
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