Manolo Blahnik is a Spanish shoe designer and the brand has become one of the world’s most sought after. He studied art at university in Paris and during the 1960s moved to London to work at Zapata. He was encouraged into designing footwear and he created a range for Ossie Clark’s show in 1972. He was able to purchase Zapata and create his own boutique. The shop is still Blahnik’s flagship store.

There are Manolo Blahnik boutiques in many of the world’s major cities, including New York, Madrid and Dubai. Manolo Blahnik shoes were often mentioned in TV shows such as Sex and the City, and the name is synonymous with quality shoes that fetch an excellent price. Celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Sarah Jessica Parker are often seen wearing his designs.

Manolo Blahnik shoes are widely available on the internet, with many online stores offering them for sale. Those looking for a bargain are advised to wait for the sales or search auction sites such as eBay, though care should be taken if purchasing from a retailer who is not authorised.

In 2007 he was awarded the OBE for his contribution to the fashion world, and his show designs have won many awards. Blahnik prefers not to have shows for his designs or do any advertising, and this approach has not harmed sales at all. He also has no intention of adding to the range by branching out into designing other items such as bags or accessories.