I’m head over heels in love. Popularised by Carrie Bradshaw, loved by Twiggy, and transcending generations, Manolo Blahnik heels are a true staple in every woman’s shoe collection. They are the ~shoe~ of the times.
Truly, Manolos are an investment piece that will stand the test of time. The question is not “should I get them?”, rather “which ones should I get first?”. Hangisis, Lurums, Heels, Flats, the Manolo Shoe-drobe is vast, and you’ll have a wishlist for many Christmasses to come.
THE MAN BEHIND THE SHOES
Manolo’s passion for shoes started from a young age; as a child, Blahnik used sweet wrappers to make shoes for the many lizards in his family farm in the Canary Islands. Now, the designer has 25,000 pairs of his own shoes. The next time someone tells me I have to many shoes, I shall be using Manolo as my reference point in my rebuttal.
His shoes never were, and never will be, (at least whilst he holds the reigns), a trend piece; they play with femininity. In the 1970s, refusing to succumb to the thick platform “trend”, Manolo stuck to his stillettos; loving the femininity and how they accentuated women’s legs. Blahnik designed his first collection in 1971, for Ossie Clark, and in 1973 he opened his first boutique, on Old Church Street in Chelsea. Now he splits his time between designing shoes in Marylebone and Bath and frequenting his hand-making shoe factories in Italy.
HANGISI
As the fashion and style icon Carrie Bradshaw famously stated: “You can take my Fendi baguette. You can take my ring and watch but you can’t take my Manolo Blahniks.” The fact that the ultimate style muse (maybe bar Serena and Blair) firmly exclaimed this adds so much weight to the value of the Hangisi. The style makes these shoes a versatile piece – day and night – whilst the buckle adds that truly special touch of glamour. The exquisite craftsmanship is brought out by this sparkly buckle, lovingly adorned with 144 crystals.
For pointed heels, the Hangisi’s are very comfortable, and the stiletto heel is very stable. I’d say that they run true to size. I’m usually a 38.5, and with the 105mm heel height I was also 38.5. However, for the 70mm heel height, I was a 38. But, the real question, and the fun part… which colour should you get?
Debuting in 2008, the Hangisis have since been created in 100 colours (!!) and 7 heel heights. Olivia Palmero’s satin wedding pumps were her “something blue”, and maybe she’s set a fashion precedent. The royal blue colour is divine; calling you to admire further, deep like the ocean. It is a tempting and clever way to incorporate wedding traditions into your outfit. The black satin heels are a staple and you can even wear them to work, whilst the burgundy velvet heels would be a cosy, Christmassy shoe for Christmas lunch with family. The Fuchsia heels are the perfect pop of colour when holidaying in Italy- matching the gorgeous flowers!
LURUM PUMPS
Truth be told, I am torn between these gorgeous Lurum pumps and the Hangisis. The comfort is mind blowing. Slip your feet in like Cinderella in a slipper, and glide around the store. The shoes are so comfortable that you would be puzzled by the height. I tried them on, and I thought that I’d tried a c.40mm height, and only realised afterwards that they were the indeed 90mm! The sign of a great shoe is (almost) not even knowing you’re wearing heels.
I never thought that I’d like mules. However, when I saw Leila’s champagne shoes, I thought I’d try them on. The worst that could happen was that my doubts would be reconfirmed. The upside? I would find a new shoe for my wishlist. And. Oh. My. When I slipped my feet into these slippers, I was in love. The crystal embellishment is gorgeous. The comfort is lovely. The colour is mesmerising. The boxes have been ticked. The wishlist expanded.
In terms of sizing, the Lurums do run smaller than your usual fit: size a whole size up. I’m a 38.5 usually, but in the Lurums I am a 39.5. I feel the navy heels would pair great with jeans, elevating your weekend outfit to the next level.
HANGISIFLAT
Another Manolo shoe I love are the Hangisiflats. They are comfortable way to dress up a workwear outfit, without being as extravagant as the heeled Hangisis. I love how the pointed toe elongates your legs, and the crystal buckle adds a heightened touch of glamour to traditional flats.
The light pink satin flats would perfectly complement my baby pink wardrobe. I’m IN LOVE with the light blue flats with the gold buckle – the combination is gorgeous! It’ll also set you apart from the crowd, as most Manolos have a silver buckle! *AND* they’re currently on sale here.
THE APARTMENT AT BICESTER VILLAGE
Thank you to Leila for organising such a wonderful event at The Apartment at Bicester Village. I am so grateful to have attended this event, bringing together likeminded people who love luxury fashion and Manolo. It was so interesting to hear about everyone’s varied backgrounds and walks of life, and bond over our shared love of fashion.
The Bicester Village Team truly made us feel at home in The Apartment – with delicious breakfast foods, champagne, and nibbles. They were chatty and friendly and really brought the shopping experience to life. The Apartment is the perfect way to treat a friend for their birthday, treat yourself on your day off, or even just because.
How gorgeous were these burgundy satin Lurum mules ?! I can imagine styling them with a Christmas dress and for Valentine’s. The crystal embellishment adds a magical touch, whilst the silky satin creates a beautiful feel.
Thanks again to Leila for inviting me, and for her and the Bicester Village and Manolo Team for bringing to life the shopping experience at the welcoming Apartment.
Have you got a pair of Mahnolos? What are your thoughts of them? Which ones are next on your wishlist? Lots of love, Jo xoxo
PS. This post uses affiliate links. However, as always, these are my genuine views
