'09
Manolo Blahnik was always known as one of the best shoe designers in the world, but his association with Sex and the City took his brand to the next level. Every time Carrie Bradshaw uttered the name “Manolo Blahnik” the shoes flew off the shelves in every part of the country. Now the man behind the shoes is trying to revise his reputation - it seems he doesn’t want to make shoes that every woman can wear. To be fair to him, his “I hate celebrities” quote might be taken out of context - he seems to really be saying something like “I hate when fake, reality-star-type ‘celebrities’ wear my shoes because they have no style.” Which is still pretty harsh, considering he makes an expensive luxury item that few women can afford and he probably wants his business to continue growing. But, whatever. I hate fake celebrities with no style too.
MANOLO BLAHNIK was being his usual infectious irrepressible self as he unveiled his spring/summer 2010 collection in Soho yesterday.
“I hate celebrities,” he revealed to VOGUE.COM. “All those pointless girls - I won’t name names, but you know who I mean. They are ‘famous’. Ridiculous. I like women with style: actresses like Uma Thurman, icons like Audrey Hepburn. I like women with style to wear my shoes.”
Women with style of any degree at all would surely be happy to sport a shoe from Mr Blahnik’s latest collection; a melee of colours and inspirations, perfectly fused with his signature delicate exuberance and presented with tea and cakes.
[From Vogue UK]
This sort of reminded of the controversy with Cristal champagne and the hip-hop/rap community. Back in 2006, Frederic Rouzaud, the managing director of Louis Roederer (the company that produces Cristal) was disdainful of the connection his champagne had within the rap community. He told The Economist that the company viewed the association with “curiosity and serenity” and when asked if the association could be detrimental, Rouzaud replied: “That’s a good question, but what can we do? We can’t forbid people from buying it. I’m sure Dom Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business.” Yeah… all hell broke loose after that. Jay-Z called the guy “racist” and there was a boycott and everything.
So, would fake, unstylish celebrities boycott Manolo, or is making a mountain out of a molehill? I tend to think Manolo Blahnik should have been much more gracious with his comments, but maybe he doesn’t think they’ll hurt his business in the long run. By the way, if anyone would like to see a preview of Monolo’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection, look at this loveliness. Sigh. I don’t care if I am not stylish enough for him, I still love his shoes.
Here’s Manolo at the Sex and The City DVD launch on 9/18/08. Also look who showed up at the “The Rodeo Drive Walk Of Style award in honour of Manolo Blahnik” on 9/25/08 - Lucy Liu, January Jones, Jennifer Coolidge, Hilary Duff, Nicky Hilton and Rick and Kathy Hilton. Paris was conspicuously absent. Maybe she can’t find his shoes in size 11. Credit: Apega/WENN.com
Written by Kaiser
Posted in Fashion, Manolo Blahnik, Shoes
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43 Responses to “Celebrity shoe designer Manolo Blahnik: “I hate celebrities””
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biting the hand that feeds springs to mind. His shoes are so expensive, they’re probably one of the few who can afford them.
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He should NOT be more gracious; his business is style. He should speak his mind. A little attitude is preferable to the relentless pandering to “celebrities” that most designers lower themselves to. And when you read the entire quote it is obvious that by celebrities he means the reality TV fame whores and other pseudo celebs that have bombarded the entertainment industry.
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the people he is talking about are too delusional to know he’s talking about them, so nothing will change.
And LOL! is that nicky hilton in the thumbnails!?!?! Priceless!
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“the people he is talking about are too delusional to know he’s talking about them, so nothing will change.”
my goodness never a truer word spoken this quite could be used to talk about these celebrities about anything especially the roman polanski case “oh WE dont commit crimes you see, because of our exceptional talent to act”
you know acting….that art that involves LYING.you didnt just hit the nail you smashed the nail on the head there mollination!
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I SO TOTALLY agree with Manolo. I would be pissed off too if I saw my designs being misrepresented by some of the gross, fake people out there (ie. ANYone from reality TV and others who are famous for being famous, etc.)
…I’m really on the war path this week with my anti-reality TV rants. Sorry, but it’s been a long time coming
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Kaiser, I don’t know why you think you’re not stylish enough for his shoes. He’s taking a pot shot at the Lohan, Montags and Kardashians of the world, and they’re not stylish, they’re tacky. Many real life women have far more style and class than them, alas not many can afford the shoes.
As for the Cristal thingy, it wasn’t racist, it was class-ist (word?). They’ve spent a lot of time and $ promoting their product as the epitome of luxury, class and sophistication. Then some guys who riff about beating their women and getting arrested for gun possession (okay - broad brush I know) are well known for drinking said product. I’d be distancing for the clientele as well.
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Ingrate, party of one.
That headline made me laugh, seriously. (hate the people who made you rich, yea, really smart) you can’t pick and choose your clientele. Well maybe you can (hey, charge even more).
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Honestly, I totally support both Manolo and Cristal’s position.
I love cognac more than anything but I can say without hesitation that I would never order Hennessy while out just due to association. And when I say association, I mean the people that I see who order it at the club and then nearly gag when they can’t handle the flavour. Or order it with cranberry juice, just because they want to appear to be something they are not.
Premium products are created to be enjoyed by people who appreciate the quality or the art of the work. So yes, I’d be annoyed too by wannabe people wearing a shoe for its name and not its fabulousness.
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Well, shouldn’t the Sex and The City characters be barred; they’re fake celebrities. LOL
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Oh God! I would love to someday own truly fabulous shoes such as those. One day, I’m holding out hope. Right now, my ’stylish’ shoes and heels consists of Delicious and Micheal Antonio. Pairs bought for under $20.
Firestarter, you grow more and more legendary in my mind! You had more than TWO pairs?!
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I wish he would have dropped names…..the gossipy side of me is curious to know specifically who
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Wake up people, the “celebrities” did not make him. Women of either weatlth or one’s like myself, who worked hard for her Manolo’s made him, by actually buying AND paying for his shoes. Celebrities get everyhting either free, discounted or on loan. So when you see these women walking the red carpet, know that 90% of them are in clothing, shoes and jewelry on LOAN. Very rarely do celebs own the things that they are photographed in.
Manolo’s shoes and the beauty, style and quality are what MADE him, not a bunch of actresses.
Has no one ever noticed what celebs wear most of the time: Jeans, flannel, Uggs? They do pay for that, the good stuff, they get gratis!
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this guy doesn’t even look gay… in fact, he looks like a downright prudish bore… how do they do it? how does something so colorful and beautiful come from someone who looks like he hasn’t even discovered technicolor…
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this guy is kind of a snob too… if a woman puts on a good pair of shoes, beautiful, well made, comfortable, unique… then she will FEEL stylish… stylish isn’t some character trait we were born with like blue eye color…
give me a break blahnik… they’re just shoes :/
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I can’t afford his shoes but I agree with him , his products are for people who appreciate the quality and artist , they are not made for people who only want them because they are expensive and everyone else is wearing them.
I would be piss off too , if my creation is being used in away that I don’t like . Is human nature.
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I loooove shoe # 2 (from upcoming collection photos). He’s standing up for real style. He wants people who appreciate his designs rather than label whores. Plus, I whole-heartedly approve of any digs made at reality show “celebrities”.
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Hum, so he likes women with style to wear his shoes, like Audrey Hepburn.
Except Audrey Hepburn didn’t wear 4 inch spike heels, she wore simple ballet flats. Not his style at all.
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Hatsumomo- I had 4 pairs, now down to 2. Don’t be too impressed, I waited for Neiman’s to mark them down 75% and even then, I ate noodles for a few weeks! I never wear my Manolo’s now days, They sit in their boxes, like little jewels!
*strokes boxes* Purr
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I would think a designer would love anyone (not matter who they are) wearing and buying their creations. That is the point, right?
I can’t afford them damn shoes anyway! LOL!!
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If you watch the red carpet, you hear names like Jimmy Choo and Stuart Weitzman far more often than Manolo. This is because Manolo is very selective about who he “loans” shoes to. Most have to buy them, which I think is totally fair. Stuart Weitzman makes beautiful shoes but he would give a pair to a local newscaster if he thought they would be photographed.
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What a snobbish asshole. Keep your precious shoes and go bankrupt, jerk.
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First off, there are better things to spend your money on. If you can afford to splurge on these shoes, by all means, go ahead. But, I am not spending money on shoes I cannot afford just to have them, and that goes for any material thing in the world. If I have to - as Firestarter puts it nicely :o)- “eat noodles” as a result of said purchase, not going to happen.
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Just wondering how many times firestarter needs to state that she owns a couple pair?…just sayin’, thought it was amusing.
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Uh, excuse me, Hatsumomo made a comment and I responded to her comment, so you and your snide little comment can go kick rocks.
Have a nice day!
I have two pair, I haver two pair I have two pair I have two pair I have two pair!
There!
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hahaha…feel better now?
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I hate MANOLOs! Seriously, these shoes are way over-priced and they will send you to the foot doctors for life. They are SO BAD for you. When will women stop suffering for fashion?
Signed,
NOT a fan -
Shorty40, you’re not that funny. No one is amused.
I’m thinking Manolo was aiming his comment right at Paris Hilton and Lindsay.
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Firestarter - you rock on wit’ yo’ bad stylish self
@Ron, actually an interview I saw with the man himself he categorically stated that he does not lend shoes at all. It came up in a reference to SATC, (which he was also a bit sniffy). He was commenting on a scene where Carrie lost a pair of shoes that were on loan and he said that such a thing could never happen in real life.
Basically I think the gist of his point was that if Patricia Field and “carrie bradshaw” cared enough about his product , other than as a flashy name to throw about, they’d do more research and have a proper understanding of the ethos.
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ohhh firestarter I would love to come and look at your shoes and hold the boxes that they are in…..I have a shoe problem….:)
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Later for Manolo. I’d rather buy Jimmy Choos.
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LOl Firestarter! I’ve always wanted to pretend to be a celebrity in LA just to see what shopowners would give me for free.
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Jule… I’ll let you have a hold of mah single pair of Stella MacCartneys to tide you over
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I totally agree with him. I think he’s taking a shot at the Lohans, Hiltons, Montags, Kardashians, and Mischa Barton’s of the world. All “pointless” girls who do nothing. He’s well known enough not to want those skanks wearing his shoes.
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Praise St.Angie- I have TWO PAIRS, YES, TWO PAIRS! : )
Cat- No kidding, that swag would be AWESOME!
Jule- Come on by! I HAD a shoe problem until the economy became crap!
Mairead- Thanks! : )
Snowball- : )
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Fuck them, If i had a product that celebrities wanted I would forbid them from buying it, it would feel like dirty money.
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I’d rather have a pair of Christian Louboutin’s. I love that red sole.
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When the regular Joes or Janes know of your shoes (Laboutin, too) it’s time to lower prices and buy some standard well made Italian shoes for $150 and have an artist from Ebay or Etsy doctor them up for you to make an original that nobody has.
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Whatever. Spending that kind of money on shoes isn’t just stupid, it’s stooooopid. If the shoes cover your feet and are comfortable, that’s enough: anything more is throwing money down the toilet.
No wonder men think we’re their inferiors: we care about stupid shit like this.
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Good Lord Charlene, save it. Men spend money on pointless stuff too. I’d hate to know you.
Gorgeous shoes are right up there with designer purses. I have a Louis Vuitton purse. If I saw a photo of Heidi or Kim K carrying it, I’d be devastated. To me, they have bad taste and I wouldn’t want any kind of association like that. If I saw Nicole Kidman or Uma Thurman carrying it, I’d be happy.
My weakness is Louboutins. I tried on a few pairs yesterday and they just don’t fit me properly. My heart hurt. I bought a hot pink pair from Michael Kors to ease my pain but I’d rather the Louboutins.
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I LOVE MANOLO!
His shoes have ALWAYS been my faves. I am lucky enough to own a couple pair and I love them. My evil ex threw two pairs of them away and I literally cried!
ITA with what he says!
And why should he kiss ass with celebrities? They are not the ones who BUY his shoes, women like us are. Celebs get them free or on loan, and I assure you, being an average woman, I do not look to a celebrity to wear something to make me think it’s stylish, I buy what I like, my own taste. So Manolo owes idiots like Lohan NOTHING!
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