What Is It About Manolos, Anyway?

My love for HBO's Sex And The City was rekindled with this fantastic video compilation. This is where my lust for footwear was conceived; the culmination of which would be a closet teeming with Manolo Blahniks.

Who can forget the scene where Carrie is mugged in a downtown alley: “Your watch and your ring—quick. And your Manolo Blahniks.”, her assailant demands. In shock, Carrie protests, “What? No! Please, sir, they’re my favourite pair!”

So what is it about Manolos, anyway? 

What does it take for a shoe, or any accessory for that matter, to become iconic?

Amazing workmanship.
According to Vogue, "“Manolos” as they are known, are the pinnacle of women’s footwear. Light as a feather ...Blahnik’s handcrafted heels are instantly recognizable as a cut above the rest."

SATC - The Movie: Wedding Shoe Sketch
(Image via here.)

Classic styling.
Transcending period-to-period trends; enter the stiletto heel. Blahnik's BB Pump, named after Brigitte Bardot, is available in 5 heel heights and at least 20 colours -seasonally!

BB by Manolo Blahnik.
(Image via here.)

Celebrity endorsement. 
Grace Coddington, Anjelica Huston, Bianca Jagger & Kate Moss to name a few. SJP was just the messenger for a particular generation.

Kate Moss famously wore Blahnik at her 2011 nuptials.
(Image via here.)

Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration! 
(And you thought this was just a social media buzzword.)
For more than 60 years and counting, collabos with brilliant designers, from John Galliano for Dior, Zac Posen, Proenza Schouler, have kept the Manolo Blahnik name fresh while breathing new life into iconic designs.

Manolo Blahnik Fall 2014.
(Image via here.)

Are you inspired to invest in a pair 'Manolos'? Which one?