MidTerm:Manolo Blahnik

Manolo Blahnik is the leading designer in hand crafted designer shoes; he was born in the Canary Islands before moving to Paris in 1965 where he decided to become a set designer. Blahnik took a trip to New York in 1970 where he showed his theater designs to then editor-in-chief of American Vogue, Diana Vreeland who loved his shoes and encouraged him to concentrate on them. The following year Blahnik was in London making shoes, in 1972 Ossie Clark, the most famous designer in London at the time used Blahnik's shoes and from there on his career took off. “Manolo Blahnik has become one of the world’s most influential footwear designers. His shoes have spellbound an international set of adorning and loyal devotees across the globe.” – Manoloblahnik.com

The Manolo Blahnik brand represents craftsmanship and quality, the brand ultimately stands for being unique, precise and balanced. Monolo’s are a luxury shoe, Blahnik said “shoes help transform a woman”. Manolo Blahnik has been honored many times with awards by the CFDA first in 1987, then in 1990 and 1998. He has also been presented with awards from the British Fashion Council, La Aguja de Oro and La Medalla de Oro given to him by Don Juan Carlos, the King of Spain. Manolo Blahnik is a brand that represents shoes, the best quality shoes but shoes alone. The designer did not branch out into clothing or license sunglasses or fragrances; he stayed true to the origin of his business and his brand. Today there are Manolo Blahnik stores in 11 different countries including the U.S. in New York and Las Vegas, Dubai, Kuwait, Greece, Spain, Ireland, UK, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and Indonesia. “The man behind this sizzling brand of shoes is one of the most influential designers of the world, Manolo Blahnik, who called his brand by his own name for all the struggle, hard work, and perspiration that he had put into it.” – Manolo Blahnik Shoes online-shopper.hubpages.com

Brand recognition grew greatly for Blahnik when his shoes were featured regularly on the hit show Sex and the City, the lead character Carry Bradshaw had a huge shoe obsession and her shoe of choice, Manolo Blahnik’s. Sarah Jessica Parker even went on to co design with Blahnick last year and joined him at fashions night out. “Parker was the star attraction of the event to celebrate Fashion's Night Out where she signed pairs of high-heels she co-designed with Blahnik.” – Emily Sheridan (Sarah Jessica Parker gets Carrie-d away in leather as she signs Manolos on Fashion’s Night Out) www.dailymail.co.uk The Manolo Blahnik brand receives much attention in leading fashion magazines around the world. Manolo’s are also available at certain department stores such as Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman and appear in the department store ads.