HEARINGS FILLED THE CITY. THEY WAS EXPANDED AND SPREADED DAY FROM DAY. MANOLO BLANIC, THE LEGENDARY DESIGNER OF SHOES, FANS OF WHICH IS IN ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD, AND WHICH INVITES HIMSELF TO ALL FASHIONABLE PEOPLE, READY TO CARE THE SHOES FOR HIGHLY SHARE IT IS ALIEFLY FULL! HE SHOULD MEET WITH LOCAL CELEBRITIES, WHICH UNLIKELY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM THE DRESSES AND SHOES OF STYLISH HEROES OF THE TV SEX IN A LARGE CITY. AND HE ARRIVED TO MEET WITH HIS FANS IN HIS BRAND BOUTIQUE IN THE SAKS FIFTH AVENUE GALLERY.
We met Manolo on the Bustan Rotana Suites sun terrace. He was great. Wearing a yellow suit, a funny tie and sports glasses in a heavy horn-rimmed frame, he enjoyed a sunny day, surrounded by a group of idle vacationers, pinching tiny canapes that did not affect the figure. They chatted nicely, he charmed everyone with conversations about anything, instantly switching from one language to another (having Czech and French roots, Manolo fluently speaks both English and French), trying to explain to ladies all the charm and simplicity of wearing shoes on high heels.
Of course, among those gathered there were those who firmly believe that real elegance is achieved only thanks to shoes "from Manolo". The ladies who gathered for lunch showed each and everyone their cherished shoes Manolo Blahnik, took pictures with the maestro and asked the designer to sign an autograph on each of their creations. It’s a good idea, because now you will be able to recognize the true admirers of the talent of Manolo by the stroke of the master on the sole left during an exclusive lunch in Dubai. The main thing is that the fashionista does not refuse to show you her.
It was not easy to tear Manolo from the host of his admirers in order to get answers to our questions. But then it turned out that getting the answer to the question, which was the main reason for his arrival in Dubai, was even more difficult. Manolo is an amazing and extraordinary person, a passionate traveler and a terrific storyteller of jokes. It was impossible to resist his charm. Finally, we sat down at the table, the waiter put in front of the master a bowl of soup (which remained untouched, since Manolo talked nonstop about his life and travels).
So. Little Manolo Blahnik grew up on the banana plantations of the Canary Islands, and was supposed to study law, but he was saved by Diana Vreeland, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, which convinced the young man to take up design. And then I could not resist the questions.
Why did you choose shoe design, not clothing?
Diana chose the shoe design for me. In fact, my mother also always loved shoes and even made her own shoes. Therefore, I grew up in a creative atmosphere. In addition, I hated the university and, despite the great hopes that my parents placed on me, I knew that this career was not for me and was happy with the great deliverance from the lawyer's share.
Have you ever taken off shoe design?
Yes, in the 80s I was engaged in the manufacture of furniture, but quickly realized that even the manufacture of samples was a very expensive business, and I did not have enough money for it. Of the furniture that I managed to make then, 25 items were bought by Calvin Klein. Thinking about it now, I suppose all my furniture was terrible. However, today there are people who ask me to start manufacturing furniture. Therefore, who knows ... To be honest, I only work with people who I like.
Would you like to create your own perfume together with leading perfumers, as many designers do?
I have received several offers, and I do not deny that this could happen. But I find this money-making machine disgusting, and I feel that by doing more and more I just get into a state of extreme stress. How did you manage to become part of the television series Sex and the City, which brought Manolo Blahnik brand worldwide fame?
I don’t know how this happened, but I’m incredibly happy that such a success fell on me. First, I began to receive newspaper articles with praise for the brand, and only then I realized what was the root cause for positive reviews. Today, coming to America, I feel like a very famous person. In fact, I do not really like fame, but I am very grateful to the television series for the fact that his heroines raised me and my products to the pinnacle of success.
How about the design and manufacture of other accessories?
Sometimes I make bags (shows an elegant fuchsia silk handbag). This is not my specialty, and I do not really like this occupation. I still love shoes.
Your shoes are known for their high but very comfortable heels. How about flat shoes?
I also do it (demonstrates one of my basic models), but for some reason heels are more popular today. Here you are, as a woman, and explain to me why?
Do you have any special collection created specifically for the Middle East region?
Of course have. I called her "Arabia." And later, shaking a slipper with elegant embroidery on the palm of his hand, he began to talk about how expensive manual work is, especially the art of embroiderers in Europe, and that he plans to do embroidery in India, where this type of needlework is part of national culture and traditions .
He also began to speculate about great writers, and about the Gulf War, and about his travels, and much more.
And if we want to hear new stories of the stunning "shoe-making master" Manolo Blahnik, we should wait for his next visit to Dubai. And he, apparently, is not far off.
