August 14, 2017 |
For Manolo Blahnik, shoes are not just something beautiful and expensive to be strapped to your feet. No, they are works of art that also happen to get you around, from one fabulous adventure to the next, like a bus but made of satin and crystals… More than that, they are his lense through which he sees the world, a canvas to project that which inspires him, and, the subject of his new exhibition, which opened in Prague last week.
With over 30,000 unique styles from Mr. Blahnik’s own private archive dating back to the early 1970’s, curator Dr. Cristina Carrillo de Albornoz was given the enviable task of hand selecting 212 shoes and 80 original drawings that she felt not only captured the essence of his design, but also his burgeoning list of influences and interests, which, among others, include architecture, botany, literature, cinema and the Eighteenth century. She’s an academic, what can we say?
Accordingly, the exhibition is divided thematically into six sections, each of which tackle the constant themes which he returns to throughout his career. “Manolo’s shoes carry also his emotions, passions and his love for life; they echo his complex inner universe beyond conventions generally accepted and the result simply excels”, says Dr. Carrillo de Albornoz. We’re going to have to take your word for it Cristina, unless someone feels like sending us to Prague for a city break…
Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes opens at Museum Kampa, Prague on the 11th August until 12th November 2017
