Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes by Rizzoli International Publications

Colour

Sense of colour...

I was born in the midst of colour on the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic but very close to the Mediterranean light. My sense of colour starts in the observation of the changes of weather, of the gardens, in fruit, trees, leaves, flowers. The splendid colours of nature contain so much emotion in them. I just feel it. Likewise, I was exposed to the most incredible painters from childhood. It has always been natural to me to see paintings and capture the sense of colour. Colour comes also from my imagination; colour thinks by itself. Part of my awareness of colour derives also from the colour of the façades of the houses in Prague and in St Petersburg, and from the hyper-saturated cinema Technicolor too. Technicolor, was a revolutionary process, so that film could capture all of the colors in nature, intensifying them. Observing, always observing… I must say this is my real talent: my visual perception. Lately I have been trying to recall words, conversations but I realize they do not have as much meaning to me; yet, when I see something or someone beautiful, it stays with me forever. I remember going to the Sunday mass when I was a child, to the Church El Salvador where there were Renaissance paintings. I was forced to go to church, alas, I was not interested in what the priest was saying, but in how women were dressed and the different intensities of light entering through the windows, which changed my perception of everybody. My love of colours clearly shows in my work and I have approached colour in a bold way, from all angles and variations. I have played with colour, looking for the poetry of the impossible colour. A symphony of colours of amber yellow, cobalt blue, fuchsia, cotton candy pinks, and forest greens permeate each collection alongside classic neutrals. I have frequently worked in vivid colors, magenta, deep purple, bright scarlet, orange, emerald green, or saffron yellow; they retain a certain theatrical fantasy. Colours give me great joy. Yet, I sometimes like to start something in black and white, a wonderful combination too. The idea is strong like that. 361 words

Coral

Corals are very special to me. They inextricably link in with my love for the island of Sicily. Could Mr. Blahnik describe the style Principe Lampedusa L24-and how it was born ? Why is particularly fascinated with Sicily? They add something incomparable, immaculately joyful and refine shoes. Obviously we use resin; nonetheless, I went to Bali and did a collection with real coral (was it so?). A wonderful and an expensive experience. Coral is a constant in my collections. (When and how he started to use corals?;) In 2000 I designed a heeled mule embellished with coral decorations hanging from tiny threads. My spring/summer 2015 collection of the strappy sandal design comes in the form of the Coraletta, with toe and ankle straps adorned with a plethora of tiny resin corals. Every time I think of corals, Claudia Cardinale comes to my mind. She possesses the sensual, Mediterranean timeless beauty. She is one of my favourite actresses of all time, starring in my beloved film by Visconti,.’ Il Gatopardo’ (The Leopard), which was shot in Palermo, Sicily. 177 words

D Drawing

The only things I never actually had to be taught were how to hold a pencil and how to swim.

The only things I never actually had to be taught were how to hold a pencil and how to swim. They both came naturally. Almost like a birth right. Since I was a little boy, I have loved using brushes. I would do watercolours with my mother; she was incredibly artistic and could have been a good painter but her parents did not give her permission to go to Madrid to study fine arts; alas, it was the spirit of her time in Spain. I used a Pelican brush as a child, but now mink and sable. My favourites are Daler-Rowney, from England. I start with one that is very soft; and then to do precision work, I use a very, very thin one. The ink is Dr. Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. They have marvellous, radiant colours. I started to study fine arts and architecture but never finished those two degrees. Yet, drawing has been extremely important in my career; I sketch all my thoughts, like an inner meditation with my hand . I never use a computer; I find it very surreal. I trust my own eye and my brain, more than I trust a machine. The ideas for my work usually come when I am sleeping or have just woken up. They also come while walking on the streets or sat in planes; I suffocate on planes, but thinking and drawing, relaxes me. After the shoes are completed, I choose some of them and I paint a watercolour (and other techniques?) portrait of them. The shoe becomes my model. 258 words

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K Kaleidoscope

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat. Velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum e magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui irure officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum sint. 100 words

Movement The way people move is very important for me. I see grace, I see energy, I see life in movement. And shoes are make a world of a difference to the way a person moves – even flat ones. And I love having elements on my shoes that accompany the wearer’s movements. It’s very sensual.

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N Nature

I was lucky enough to have been grown up surrounded by nature, literally. I was born a metre away from our garden, and spent many hours of my childhood in it. Which is why I became so interested in it. I used to know all the latin names of every single plant I knew, and I have to say, I am still a very keen gardener. I love the shapes of some plants, and the smells. I feel very connected to nature. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comforting to me, to be in a garden, or a park. It is probably there that I am as close to being relaxed as I ever could possibly be. 112 words

R Russia

Restless

(only relax in the factory)

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U Unapologetic

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Fantasie, Future Isabella Blow, Intelligence, Jewels, Kaleidoscope, Lightness, Julie Christie, Obssesion, Perugia Quest, restless Romy, Spots, Tartan, Tastem Tradition, Unapologetic..... voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum e magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. 100words

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esque dissentias ne, case copiosae ius id. Mel an meis posidonium philosophia, mel congue albucius ex, mel an assum dicant reformidans. Esse erant molestiae ut nec, at omnis clita duo. Quis verterem senserit no his, cum eu tale impetus delenit. Ex mea nostrum mandamus instructior, at eum errem sententiae instructior, ei nostrum aliquando mei. In dico delicata has, eu eos nonumy bonorum eligendi. Eum saepe ancillae referrentur cu, saepe iudico duo eu. Ex usu libris graeci. Vix ne illud aeque, commodo veritus epicuri et usu. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo architecto. 250 words