The legendary designer talks to L&rsquo;OFFICIEL&nbsp;about his design process, legacy, and lifelong fascination with Marie Antoinette.

<text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="102.23297119140625" x="307.30999755859375" y="-741.5" data-test="textbox">&ldquo;I never think of a shoe as </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="6.47998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="20.097015380859375" x="409.61968994140625" y="-741.5" data-test="textbox">iconic</text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.46002197265625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="124.56594848632812" x="429.9679870605469" y="-741.5" data-test="textbox">,&rdquo; says Manolo Blahnik. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.3399658203125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.185791015625" x="307.3900146484375" y="-729.5" data-test="textbox" id="highlight-tooltip-target">not something that I strive for.&rdquo; Even so, the Spanish designer, </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="244.41183471679688" x="307.5899963378906" y="-717.5" data-test="textbox">82, has delivered one classic after another since founding his </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.41998291015625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.206787109375" x="307.3699951171875" y="-705.5" data-test="textbox">eponymous footwear label in 1970. All the while, he&rsquo;s paid no </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.30999755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.18487548828125" x="307.3599853515625" y="-693.5" data-test="textbox">mind to fleeting trends. &ldquo;My designs come from what I feel,&rdquo; </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.46002197265625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="233.2918701171875" x="307.260009765625" y="-681.5" data-test="textbox">he says. &ldquo;The goal is timelessness, not instant gratification.&rdquo;</text>
<text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.3399658203125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.16998291015625" x="307.30999755859375" y="-549.5" data-test="textbox">Blahnik&rsquo;s best ideas come during moments of quiet. &ldquo;I spend </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.22998046875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="244.76400756835938" x="307.2300109863281" y="-537.5" data-test="textbox">the summer surrounded by nature at my house in the Canary </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.30999755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.30706787109375" x="307.20001220703125" y="-525.5" data-test="textbox">Islands, and it&rsquo;s in those moments that I find myself most alive, </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.44000244140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.1800537109375" x="307.3699951171875" y="-513.5" data-test="textbox">creatively,&rdquo; he says. Travel and film remain two of his biggest </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.25" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="244.73297119140625" x="307.260009765625" y="-501.5" data-test="textbox">influences; both are evident in his Fall 2025 collection, inspired </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.339996337890625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.50711059570312" x="307.0199890136719" y="-489.5" data-test="textbox">by the &ldquo;majestic architecture&rdquo; of Renaissance-era palaces in </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.420013427734375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="244.56698608398438" x="307.4599914550781" y="-477.5" data-test="textbox">Europe, the elegance of 20th-century Americana, and Vanessa </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.420013427734375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="207.24703979492188" x="307.5199890136719" y="-465.5" data-test="textbox">Redgrave&rsquo;s beauty in Michelangelo Antonioni&rsquo;s 1966 </text>Blow-Up.
<text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.420013427734375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="240.61410522460938" x="307.0799865722656" y="-441.5" data-test="textbox">Marie Antoinette&mdash;in history and on film&mdash;is another life</text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="2.94000244140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="3" x="548.4801025390625" y="-441.5" data-test="textbox">-</text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.470001220703125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.43585205078125" x="307.1199951171875" y="-429.5" data-test="textbox">long inspiration. &ldquo;I have been captivated by [the French queen] </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.30999755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="240.826904296875" x="307.3699951171875" y="-417.5" data-test="textbox">ever since my mother read me Stefan Zweig&rsquo;s 1932 biogra</text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.339996337890625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.41796875" x="307.1400146484375" y="-405.5" data-test="textbox">phy,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;What struck me most was how style became </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.470001220703125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="246.62918090820312" x="307.9100036621094" y="-393.5" data-test="textbox">[Antoinette&rsquo;s] expression and escape. The way she presented </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.230010986328125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="244.81689453125" x="307.260009765625" y="-381.5" data-test="textbox">herself was a kind of performance; she knew fashion was a</text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.230010986328125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="244.87176513671875" x="307.1400146484375" y="-369.5" data-test="textbox">power, and she used it to be vulnerable, daring, and ahead of</text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.44000244140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="188.17584228515625" x="307.260009765625" y="-357.5" data-test="textbox">her time. To me, she is fashion&rsquo;s first real icon."</text>

The shoe from 'Marie Antoinette' that will be on display at the V&A Museum. Courtesy of Manolo Blahnik.

<text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.459991455078125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.61105346679688" x="306.9200134277344" y="-333.5" data-test="textbox">The impact of Antoinette&rsquo;s &ldquo;dreamlike extravagance&rdquo; on Blahnik&rsquo;s </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.230010986328125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.651123046875" x="306.8699951171875" y="-321.5" data-test="textbox">work is obvious. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m drawn to detail and embellishments, and </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.30999755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.32516479492188" x="307.2300109863281" y="-309.5" data-test="textbox">there has always been a bit of 18th-century elegance in what I do,&rdquo; </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.230010986328125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="244.6729736328125" x="307.260009765625" y="-297.5" data-test="textbox">he says. When director Sofia Coppola asked him to custom-make </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.230010986328125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="102.96697998046875" x="307.2300109863281" y="-285.5" data-test="textbox">the shoes for her 2006 film, Marie Antoinette</text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.230010986328125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="77.63897705078125" x="474.36578369140625" y="-285.5" data-test="textbox">, he gladly immersed </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.30999755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.26312255859375" x="307.260009765625" y="-273.5" data-test="textbox">himself in the royal&rsquo;s world. &ldquo;I had total freedom to be creative, </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.30999755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.633056640625" x="306.8699951171875" y="-261.5" data-test="textbox">which is rare,&rdquo; says Blahnik, who studied 18th-century shoes in </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.420013427734375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="185.22708129882812" x="307.2300109863281" y="-249.5" data-test="textbox">the archives of the Victoria and Albert Museum.</text>
<text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.2299957275390625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="244.64205932617188" x="307.3500061035156" y="-225.5" data-test="textbox">He conjured one of his all-time favorite shoes, the </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.4199981689453125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="244.4671630859375" x="307" y="-213.5" data-test="textbox">Antoinetta&mdash;a blush-toned mule with pleated ruffles, hand-</text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.2299957275390625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.35400390625" x="307.1400146484375" y="-201.5" data-test="textbox">painted edges, and velvet bows&mdash;that Kirsten Dunst wore </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.3100128173828125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="244.13180541992188" x="307.3500061035156" y="-189.5" data-test="textbox">on screen with Costume Designer Milena Canonero&rsquo;s Oscar-</text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.4199981689453125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.694091796875" x="306.8699951171875" y="-177.5" data-test="textbox">winning wardrobe. &ldquo;I truly believe Marie Antoinette herself </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.2299957275390625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="245.11187744140625" x="306.8699951171875" y="-165.5" data-test="textbox">would have worn this style, which marries historical reference </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.3100128173828125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="156.6539306640625" x="306.8699951171875" y="-153.5" data-test="textbox">with modern sensibility,&rdquo; says Blahnik. </text>

An original sketch of the Antoinetta shoe. Courtesy of Manolo Blahnik.

<text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.4600067138671875" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.58499145507812" x="306.9200134277344" y="-129.5" data-test="textbox">The Antoinetta is now on display in the V&amp;A Museum&rsquo;s Manolo </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.4199981689453125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.233154296875" x="307.30999755859375" y="-117.5" data-test="textbox">Blahnik&ndash;sponsored &ldquo;Marie Antoinette Style&rdquo; exhibition, </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.44000244140625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="244.78195190429688" x="307.2300109863281" y="-105.5" data-test="textbox">through May 2026. To coincide with the showcase, Blahnik </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.470001220703125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.2947998046875" x="307.260009765625" y="-93.5" data-test="textbox">has designed a &ldquo;romantic-yet-relevant&rdquo; capsule collection (out in </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.470001220703125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="244.53976440429688" x="307.4800109863281" y="-81.5" data-test="textbox">October), that, like all of his creations, delicately balances past </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.339996337890625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.134765625" x="307.42999267578125" y="-69.5" data-test="textbox">and present. &ldquo;Fashion does not always need to be about what is </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.230003356933594" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.1536865234375" x="307.3900146484375" y="-57.5" data-test="textbox">new&mdash;I want each of my designs to transcend seasons and to feel </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.30999755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="247.12078857421875" x="307.42999267578125" y="-45.5" data-test="textbox">as fresh and relevant years from now as the day it was first worn,&rdquo; </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.340000152587891" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="136.639892578125" x="307.260009765625" y="-33.5" data-test="textbox">he says. &ldquo;Perhaps that is my legacy."</text>

Manolo Blahnik Opens Up His Archive And Offers Insight Into Iconic Designs

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