There are few designers that claim they make the best shoes in the world. Manolo Blahnik never needed to. Born in 1942, Manolo exhibited a very high level of interest and talent from childhood when it came to fashion design. Manolo's father was a Czech who had owned a company in Prague while his Spanish mother who had a Banana plantation. He was home schooled as a kid. He also studied at a boarding school in Switzerland. His parents enrolled him for a political degree in the Geneva University but he switched his degree. After graduating in 1965, he went on to study art in Paris and finally moved to London in 1968 to work in 'Zapata', a fashion boutique.

A chance meeting with Diana Vreeland, the then editor-in-chief of the US Vogue in 1970 changed everything. Diana told him that he had great potential in designing shoes and that he should start doing so. And that's exactly what Manolo did. In 1972, He took over Zapata from its owner with the help of a loan and in it's place he started his own shop. Prior to becoming the fashion icon that he is today, Manolo Blahnik went on to achieve many phenomenal feats in the world of fashion. In 1974, he had the rare honor to be the first man on the cover of the UK Vogue. 1977 saw the entry of Malono Blahnik shoes in the US market. He sold through Bloomingdales.

The Manolo Blahnik range of shoes for women is vast as it is fascinating. With an eye for detail that is matched by none, one could go on and on about the shoes. The Suede Lattice Booties have an intricate design complete with a leather lining and sole. Not many shoe designers make shoes out of materials such as Jute and Suede. Manolo's first inspiration was his mother who used to make shoes on her own as she was dissatisfied with the shoes she got in her town. It's hard to believe that Manolo actually started his career making men's shoes. He quickly found that men's shoes limited his creativity. He never learnt the art of making shoes from school. It's no doubt that it is this raw talent and elegance that we see in his shoes.

Manolo Blahnik's classic Stiletto heels gained huge popularity all over the world. The small shoe boutique in London has now gone on to become a fashion empire that has its boutiques in the US, UK, Europe and. Manolo currently lives in Bath, UK and has all 25,000 of his designs on display. Manolo Blahnik creates his own designs till this day.