Manolo Blahnik

69Fashion is like art, I feel distant from it because I am often told it’s not for me by people in the ‘fashion world’. One phrase I repeatedly hear is “you just don’t get it”. It seems odd to me that people who have a passion wouldn’t try to encourage others into their circle. An inflated sense of superiority Is something I feel emanating from fashion designers, to fashion bloggers. I’ve not been invited to the party, so I don’t pay attention to it. As an outsider to the world of fashion, I am frequently told of documentaries that will change my perspective and draw me in to the lucrative world of fashionistas. Though they don’t usually feel all that welcoming, offering me a peak through the shop window into the world of high fashion, without actually letting me in. So, when a friend of mine told me about Manolo, I didn’t really want to listen. For some reason the idea of yet another documentary aimed at converting me into a fashion lover didn’t have much appeal. When I found out the main subject was shoes, it changed my mind. Shoes are where fashion and I meet, the crossroads of my interests, and the fashion scene.

At least, I thought I loved shoes. I love the appearance of shoes, and I appreciate what they bring to an outfit, but in fashion there is a whole other level of appreciation for them. I had never even heard of Manolo Blahnik before watching this documentary, which seems now to be completely ridiculous. He is a true creative visionary, and the kind that can shape the way a whole generation thinks about clothing, all without most of them knowing who he is.

For Manolo, it is clear that fashion was always a way to express himself, and he only ever wore what he wanted to, only ever drawing what he wanted to draw. In the documentary, Anna Wintour said that the golden age of British fashion was down to the main motivation being passion and love for your craft, rather than how well it might sell. Manolo represents this philosophy beautifully, watching him smile and his eyes fill with fire when he touches brush to paper shows a love for his creations that is hard to find in the most intimate artist. The fact he still creates every template for his factories by himself tells me he doesn’t trust anyone else to see the things in his own pieces that he can see.

Manolo, as many fashion designers are, is revered as a god. Creating such beautiful ‘creatures’ as he calls them, does give an undoubtable level of awe. But the thing this documentary does so beautifully is show how human Manolo is, despite his magical creative abilities. From the introduction with Manolo making sure the camera is getting his good side, to him tending his garden by himself. For such a gilded figure to say something like “I’m still learning” is an incredible moment to capture and makes for a warm welcoming hand to guide me through the world of fashion. No more human a moment have I ever seen than when Manolo met Galiano. it’s a beautiful moment, two friends who clearly love every second spent with each other. John Galiano entering the room put a face on Manolo that I had never seen, one of sheer delight and genuine shock. These two icons of fashion, then sit together and reminisce about how they met, both so happy and comfortable next to each other.

I feel my prejudices towards people in the fashion circle melting away with this documentary. I spoke before about how fashion designers are revered as gods, and that’s truer for those outside fashion than inside. But what this does so well is show that they are people, and that these creations come from someone’s genuine expression. That’s the reason it’s a great watch for someone like me. I felt such a desire to know even more, about Manolo, about the stories he tells, and the people who speak about him. If it weren’t already obvious, I’m not a fashion geek, but having learned more about the man behind the shoes, I’m starting to become one. Something I especially appreciated was that the title is immediately explained. My first question was answered, he really did make shoes for lizards. Albeit foil shoes but its such a wholesome beginning, and one that satisfied my curiosity right off the bat.

Truly great documentaries make great use of interviews, and this is absolutely no exception. Many varying but equally intriguing points of view are brilliantly presented by a huge host of household names. From the fabulous and wise Andre Leon Tally to the equally fabulous but better-looking Naomi Campbell, the documentary is a testament to the scope of Manolo’s influence. It’s a documentary that can single-handedly convince a sceptic of the importance of fashion, without losing its touch with reality. The stories told throughout are captivating, and beautifully articulated by some of the founders of modern day fashion. Having said that, it is not without its faults. The recreations of Manolo’s past are, at times, distractingly bad which can take you out of the magic. Also, some of the framing used for interviewing was a bit strange. I had to rewind Anna Wintour about five times before I could pay attention to what she was saying the framing was so bad.

I still feel a great separation from shoe design, while Manolo can see every detail that makes a shoe a masterpiece or a mistake, I see a pretty shoe. ‘I get this shoe’ says Naomi Campbell admiring a ghastly piece of animal-print boot. This is what I feel separates me from fashion in general, that I am made to feel like I just don’t get it if I don’t like something a prestigious designer has created. The documentary does a great job of sparking an interest, and it will not be the last fashion documentary I watch. But I still feel beneath those in fashion, and perhaps that’s part of the point. Clothing, especially high fashion, is all about gilding the lilly, taking a step too far because it’s what’s needed to push the boundaries. At its core though, what this documentary taught me is that fashion is mostly about expression. Whether you express yourself by following trends, creating, or being like Manolo and dressing like a 19th century Spanish gentleman, fashion lets people explore who they are. If there’s one thing to learn from the experience of watching this documentary, it’s that fashion is important, whether you want it to be or not.

Review by Cameron Hayward