Shoe

Leather 'Kozan' leather and suede shoes with cut-out details and ankle ties, 2004-2005. Designed and donated by Manolo Blahnik.

Manolo Blahnik was born in the Canary Islands and studied in Geneva and Paris. He began his career in shoe design on the advice of legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland. Blahnik studied set design at the Ecole du Louvre, and Vreeland, on seeing one of his pieces, was so enthralled by the costume detail of a small shoe that she insisted that this must be his métier.

Blahnik had already designed mens shoes for the shoe shop Zapata in London's Kensington in 1970. He now returned to London, taking over the lease on the store in 1972 and focussed on producing exquisite women's shoes. Zapata soon became a fashionable destination attracting a discerning and high profile clientele. In 1983 Blahnik opened his New York store, cementing his position as an internationally acclaimed designer. Blahnik's important contribution to fashion and shoe design was recognized in 2003 when a retrospective exhibition of his work was held at London's Design Museum.