PORTFOLIO Mosha Lundström Halbert - EDITOR . WRITER . stylist - mosha lundström halbert
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PORTFOLIO
SELECTED R S
Mosha Lundström Halbert
EDITOR . WRITER . stylist
FO OT W E A R N E WS.C O M / N OV E M B E R 2 8, 2 0 1 6 / @ FO OT W E A R N E WS
THE BIG
WINNERS
Paul Andrew
Vetements
x Manolo Blahnik
Aldo Bensadoun
Mark King
Foot Locker
Kith
Schutz
Fenty Puma
Creeper ➵
Nike
Gucci
Chiara Ferragni
Iris Apfel
John Varvatos
Nicolò Beretta
René Caovilla
Linda Fargo
QUE E N O F S H O ES
Rihanna’s Shoe of the Year
tops FN’s 30th annual list,
honoring the industry’s best.
FO OT W E A R N E WS.C O M / JA N UA RY 3 0, 20 17 / @ FO OT W E A R N E WS
SHOW ISSUE
CARTOON
NETWORK
The hottest
pre-fall looks go
on an animated
adventure
AIRING
LAUNDRY
Behind the
scenes of Kristin
Cavallari’s
new campaign
SIRIANO
SAYS
The quirky
designer on
profits, Payless
and plus-size
Star
controversies
Tracks
Katy Perry is
serious about
creating a hit in
the shoe biz. In
an FN exclusive,
the pop star goes
on the record
about learning
from the pros,
keeping it
real and her
ambitious plans
to conquer the
fashion world.
L.A.
NICOLE RICHIE
Actor & designer
Between juggling motherhood and
a new role on the Tina Fey-produced
comedy series “Great News” (debut-
ing April 25 on NBC), Nicole Richie
has a full dance card. But fashion
remains a priority for this notori-
ously funny woman, who is equally
Stories
regarded for her ability to pull off a
vintage Dior dress and land a salty
joke with aplomb. Her latest venture
is a partnership with e-commerce site
Revolve on monthly mini-collections
of her House of Harlow 1960 wom-
enswear collection. While on set in
Los Angeles (with her dog Iro),
Richie shared more of her style and
career insights.
PHOTOS: MODEL: PIPER CARLSON AT AMAX TALENT; HAIR: EDWARD ST. GEORGE AT AMAX TALENT; MAKEUP: MEGAN THOMPSON AT AMAX TALENT; PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: JOEL MICAH DENNIS. SHOT ON LOCATION IN NASHVILLE, TENN.
When working on a new collection,
what is your creative process?
“Our family travels all year. In every city, I am
constantly taking photos. I carry a camera
in my purse — yes, a real camera. Whether
it’s a color palette, a texture or a print, I find
inspiration everywhere. It’s constant for me. I
am always fueling the creative process.”
How has your style evolved since your
label launched in 2009?
“My core philosophy in life and style has
always been the same: to have fun, express
myself and encourage other women to be
true to themselves as well.”
Who influences you from a business,
career and style perspective?
“I am surrounded by inspirational women.
I was raised in L.A. It is a vibrant, ever-chang-
Inside the uniquely personal ing place, I look to women throughout time
that have dressed to make themselves happy
workspaces, homes and hangouts of rather than look to trends.”
the city’s coolest creatives. Here, Let’s talk shoes: What do you look for?
15 Californian tastemakers wear the “I have to say that I really do consider
season’s newest shoes — their way. comfort. I love oxfords and classic Converse.
I appreciate beautiful shoes from Valentino,
Aquazzura, Giuseppe Zanotti, but it’s not
Photographed by Shane McCauley about the designer. Shoes are a place to have
Fashion Director: Mosha Lundström Halbert fun and be eccentric.”
When you are dressing for a big event,
what are some of your secrets?
“Well, I am very lucky to be able to work
with my friends. The people who do my hair,
makeup and styling are some of my nearest
and dearest. We play New Kids on the Block
and go wild. After a few dances and trying
on different outfits, we decide together as
girlfriends — even though some of them
are guys.”
What keeps you happy, healthy and
inspired in L.A.?
“I always feel healthy after a hike with friends.
I am never happier than after a day with my
kids, and I find myself being inspired by the
Lounging at workspace diversity and excitement of Los Angeles.”
Hills Penthouse in
West Hollywood What is one thing nobody should leave
Sarah Flint Gravati oxfords, Los Angeles without experiencing?
House of Harlow 1960 x “A drive down Mulholland.”
Revolve dress, Jennifer
Fisher necklace
32 53
1B (Dark Background) Slug Right
FO OT W E A R N EWS.CO M / M AY 3 0 , 2 0 1 6 / @ FO OT W E A R N EWS
WOMEN IN POWER
HER
STORY
Sarah Jessica Parker, the
ultimate shoe influencer, talks
leadership, ambition and rules
to live by in an FN exclusive.
SJ
P
Owns It
Innately strategic. Incredibly thoughtful.
Determined to make her mark. The ultimate
shoe queen opens up about her singular
vision and playbook for success.
By Mosha Lundström Halbert
Photographs by Silja Magg
ower. By definition, it is the capacity to direct
P
the behavior of others. Which is exactly what
Sarah Jessica Parker has done over the course
of her hotly influential and diverse career.
First, by inviting women to live vicariously
through her glamorous characters (most notably Carrie
Bradshaw), those dream shoes and all. And now, she con-
tinues to enable footwear fantasies with her eponymous
SJP collection. But in characteristic fashion, Parker would
much rather have others talk about how hard she works
than belt out her own praises. “I’m part of a generation
that feels there’s a slightly unsightly thing about illustrat-
ing the reality of it all,” the mom of three said during an
exclusive interview and cover shoot for Footwear News.
“I want somebody else to say it for me.”
It’s not hard to find people who are willing to vouch for
her. Three years ago, when she announced her footwear
project (in partnership with Manolo Blahnik’s George
Malkemus), the industry was excited, but skeptical.
While she was long expected to do something with
20 COVER STORY
WOMEN IN POWER
shoes — a natural fit, with the HBO series
“Sex and the City” serving as a cultural zeit-
geist for designer heels — no one anticipated
the level of involvement she would bring to
her brand.
“In her own persuasive way, she has taken
power of her destiny,” said Malkemus from
the plush SJP headquarters in New York
City’s Flatiron District. “We have certain
notions about big stars. That’s not her at all.
She’s everything I ever hoped for in a friend,
but nothing I ever dreamed of having in a
partner.” He also noted that while she may
share a single-soled sensibility with Blahnik,
there are marked differences between them:
“Manolo is the greatest man to have ever
had a relationship with shoes. But he is still
a man. She brings a unique way of thinking
that was new to me.”
Beauty mogul and longtime
friend Laura Mercier, whom
“I’m tireless. Parker counts as a mentor and
I want and business inspiration, agrees she
has a lot to offer. “She succeeds
expect everyone in transitioning from one thing
to approach to another because she is pas-
sionate, extremely intelligent
the work in the and cultured,” she said. “Plus,
same way.” she loves people and always tries
Sarah Jessica Parker
to be the best at what she does
— that is her power.”
For Bloomingdale’s, one of
SJP’s key retailers, Parker’s lack of airs and
willingness to evolve was a welcome sur-
prise. “She only wants to get better. I’m con-
tinually amazed that with her busy schedule,
she is there for our buying appointments,”
said fashion director Erica Russo, who also
saluted Parker’s genuine desire to connect
with shoppers and help them find that per-
fect pair of shoes — literally. “She has you at
such ease in the first few minutes that you
almost forget Sarah Jessica Parker is putting
a shoe on your foot.” In this case, that shoe
is likely the best-selling Fawn pump or Tartt
Mary Jane, two SJP styles the designer often
wears.
PHOTOS: THIS PAGE: SILJA MAGG; OPPOSITE PAGE: REX SHUTTERSTOCK
For Parker, this hands-on approach spans
métiers, including her new HBO series,
“Divorce,” which debuts this year. “I love
detail,” she said. “That’s what distinguishes
you. [‘Sex and the City’ architect] Michael
Patrick King always said there are two ways
of producing television: You’re either in or
you’re out. And if you’re in, you should be
coming across the finish line bloody. That’s
how you get the best roles and work. You
gotta be a bitter ender.”
Here, Parker opens up on her approach to
leadership, female mentorship and why she’s
so much more than just a shoe lover.
22 COVER STORY
Early success in music,
acting and dance has
Zendaya primed to pave a
powerful fashion path.
By Mosha
Lundström Halbert
Photographed by
Emily HopeShirtdress, BCBGMAXAZRIA. Angus lace booties, Daya by Zendaya.
So, you haven’t heard of Zendaya?
Don’t fret. The Disney dynamo and
millennial fashion phenomenon has
no qualms explaining who she is.
“If Beyoncé, Oprah [Winfrey] and Shonda Rhimes carpet) and Snapchat (where she is stylist, Law Roach, Zendaya and Titan
often seen eating pizza with family or
had a baby, that would be me,” quipped the 19-year- regrouped for fall ’16.
joking with her parents, Claire Stoermer “It’s the same aesthetic and quality;
old actress, singer, dancer and public speaker while and Kazembe Ajamu, who double as we just wanted to make it more afford-
on set recently for a Footwear News cover shoot in managers and handlers). able, especially for my fans,” she said.
the flower district of Los Angeles. ➵ Like the three The latest medium the Oakland, Calif.- “For my demographic, I’m catering to
born Zendaya (the “day” is pronounced as real women who work, are getting their
innovators she feels kinship with, Zendaya — who is such) is determined to leave her mark on first jobs or are in college. I want them to
5 feet 10 inches tall with a model’s lean build — has is footwear. Shoes are the celebrity proj- have shoes that make sense for them.”
her eyes firmly fixed on multimedia domination, ect du jour, but it can be a tricky category Although she has Christian Loubou-
and on her own terms. ➵ She is already well on to get right. The budding businesswoman tin’s Über-vertiginous So Kate pump in
knows about the challenges firsthand. “every color” and claims they’re like slip-
her way, with a new album in the works and a Her Sole of Daya line launched for pers for her, Zendaya realizes that both
36-million-strong social media following. Her spring ’16 with Titan Industries, the Hun- stylistically and economically, that’s not
audience hangs on her every tweet (she’s not afraid tington, Calif.-based footwear licensee. how most of her target audience shops.
The market response was that the collec- “I want women to feel expensive,
to respond to bigotry from trolls with a snappy
tion, while desirable, was too expensive luxurious and beautiful, but not have to
retort), Instagram (a perfect showcase for her for the many young women. Along with spend three years saving up for one pair
daring, increasingly cool style on and off the red her co-creative director and personal of shoes,” she added.
Titan CEO Joe Ouaknine hesitates to
call the retooled line a relaunch, standing
behind the first collection as “the best of
Red 1
them all,” he said. “We stayed with the
Carpet iHeartRadio
Music Awards
same looks, but adjusted our sourcing.”
(Titan’s brand portfolio includes Charles
Hits Haider
Ackermann
Jourdan, Badgley Mischka and Splendid;
the company formerly produced L.A.M.B
The rising boots and Gx by Gwen Stefani.)
The new label also has a fresh name:
star has 2
Daya by Zendaya. It starts at $70 for slide
set the Met Gala
sandals and tops out at $125 for mid-calf
after-party
fashion bar Giuseppe gladiators. The collection will retail at
high. Here, Zanotti boots Nordstrom, Kohl’s, Von Mauer, Zappos.
Zendaya 3
com and Amazon.com.
stands out Kids’ Choice
Ouaknine is betting big on Zendaya
after initially needing some convinc-
in some of
PHOTOS: ZENDAYA RED-CARPET: SHUTTERSTOCK
Awards
ing from Vivienne Westwood U.S. CEO
her top looks Sophia
Webster Cristiano Mincio that she was indeed a
from 2016. platforms bankable name.
“[Mincio] said, ‘You have to meet this
4
young artist.’ My first reaction was I don’t
Glamour
luncheon need another celebrity,” Ouaknine said.
Stuart “I promised I would look her up and get
Weitzman back to him.” After three follow-ups, he
heels agreed to meet with Zendaya and her
1 2 3 4
16“The factor that made me
decide to work with her was
her maturity. She told me
that she was in charge
PHOTO: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
and she would make all the
decisions on her own.”
—Titan CEO Joe Ouaknine
Sweater, Michael Kors.
Earrings, Marni.
Choker, Adornmonde.
24father, who oversees her business deals,
on the Disney lot where she was rehears-
ing for hit TV show “K.C. Undercover.”
It didn’t take much convincing.
“The second she said one word, I liked
her,” Ouaknine remembered. “The factor
that made me decide to work with her
was her maturity. She told me right then
that she was in charge and she would
make all the decisions on her own.”
From there, he said the talents of the
2014 “Dancing With the Stars” runner-
up sealed the deal. “This girl became a
fashion icon before the age of 18,” he said.
“She is a phenomenon in my eyes.”
For his part, Roach had a similar ex-
perience of discovering Zendaya’s unique
package, albeit even earlier, when she
was 12. He’s since become integral to her
fashion evolution, most notably in her
2015 Oscars appearance, where her waist-
length dreads made headlines after TV
personality Giuliana Rancic made some
ill-advised comments. The resulting me-
dia storm only enhanced the teenager’s
fame and reputation as a style risk-taker.
“We have this unique synergy. We
can finish each other’s sentences,” Roach
said. “I’ll know what she wants to say or
do. We’ve grown up together. I call her
my fashion soul mate.” The duo is now
courted by hard-to-crack labels such as
Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors and Calvin
Klein and pops up together at fashion
weeks in New York and Paris.
It makes sense, then, that the
inseparable pair share the billing as
co-creative directors of Daya by Zendaya.
“We try to be as hands-on as possible.
We look at fabrication and study heel
“This girl became a fashion icon before the age
of 18. She is a phenomenon in my eyes.”
—Titan CEO Joe Ouaknine
heights and trends, like what’s selling in
which part of the country,” Roach said.
“It’s a long, drawn-out process just to
get to the shoe. We both didn’t think it Flightsuit: G star.
PHOTO: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
would be that much work, but it is. She’s Sports bra: American
adamant about having control and input Apparel.
Chokers: Adornmonde.
on something that has her name on it.”
Ring: Simon G.
For Zendaya, a shoe must meet certain
specifications for her to be satisfied. And
with influences such as Louboutin, the
star has high standards. “I wouldn’t cre-
ate a shoe that I don’t love and wouldn’t
put on my own foot,” she said.
18something she asked early on in the very J.Lo or very Gwen Stefani.’ For us,
creative process with Titan’s design team. every look is a new experience.”
As a result, Zendaya pushed her While a singular fashion sense may be
partners to create a more modernized propelling her brand, Zendaya has much
pump, the Kyle, one of her favorites in deeper aspirations.
the collection. “I wanted to see a little toe “I’m about empowering young people,
cleavage, and that’s something that was women and people of color — every-
tricky for Titan,” she said. body,” said Zendaya, whose father is
With celebrity lines, blatant copying of African-American and mother is of Dutch
high-end designers happens often. That’s descent. There aren’t many people with
something both Zendaya and Roach a mixed-race background who have her
aimed to avoid. “I don’t want to create platform, and she knows it. “I try my
knockoffs,” she said. “I want to create our best to be a light source in a dark world
THE KYLE, a modernized pump featuring toe cleavage at own movement and style, even though I sometimes.”
Zendaya’s request. “Standard pointy-toe heels all come out
don’t believe in trends.” Zendaya recalled the time she met
the same,” she said. “I wanted the build of it to look expensive.”
At the same time, she added, “I don’t Winfrey and almost cried. “Oprah is one
want people to feel like they have the of the dopest people in the world. When
W
look for less; I want them to have the you think of her brand, it’s positive,” she
HEN IT COMES TO the technical look that just happens to be for less.” said. “If she says it’s the best tea in the
Zendaya’s mother, Stoermer, who world, you will drink that tea because
aspects of shoemaking, her oversees her calendar and social media, she’s trusted. She’s charitable and there is
opinionated nature and know-how said this command of her brand and “the a meaning to her projects.”
PRODUCTION EDITOR: EMILY TAYLOR. ZENDAYA’S STYLIST: LAW ROACH. HAIR: RAY DODSON. PHOTO ASSISTANT: SERENA HERRICK. ZENDAYA AND ROACH PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRADFORD ROGNE
are impressive for someone with zero design buck stops here” attitude are integral to Similarly, she admires Rhimes, creator
experience. ➵ “[Titan] is cool and great to work her daughter’s success. “Everything is her. of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal” and other
She oversees it all,” she said. “It’s always big shows. “The woman is a genius. She
with because they are very open to all of the little her voice; she’s always stayed authentic.” creates gold and owns a night [on TV].
obsessive details I have,” she said, citing the cut Bonnie Fuller, editor-in-chief of celeb- I want to own a night,” said the actress,
of the vamp and throat and height of the pitch as rity site Hollywood Life (owned by FN who just wrapped “The Greatest Show-
parent Penske Media), has been chart- man on Earth” with Hugh Jackman and
key focal points. “I am all about a good ‘foot shoe,’
ing her rapid rise and said Zendaya’s is filming “Spider-Man: Homecoming”
meaning I want it to look good on my foot. There is style has allowed her to stand out. “She’s with Robert Downey Jr. “She also creates
nothing worse than a shoe that doesn’t make your incredibly versatile and not somebody roles and representation for different
leg look good. That irritates me.” that’s locked into one style,” Fuller said. types of people on camera.”
“Her appeal is also that she can be Zendaya’s third hero recently em-
On set with FN in her collection’s casual and relatable one day and then go braced the budding star. Beyoncé invited
strappy pumps, platform sandals super-sophisticated or bold the next. She the rising star to appear in scenes from
and cutout booties, Zendaya glides changes her look more than any other her “Lemonade” visual album. On that
effortlessly, but recognizes she possesses young star.” experience, she has “no words.”
a special grace and groove. “I’ve trained This element of surprise is exactly Right now, Zendaya certainly has a lot
my feet to [wear high heels], but not the intended result, according to Roach. to beam about. “When it comes to fash-
everybody wants to do that. How do “You can’t just look at something and say, ion and life, a lot of things I do are pow-
I get the lower pitch but still have it ‘That’s Zendaya,’ ” he said. “As opposed to ered by how I feel, what makes me smile
look good?” she said, noting that was other people you look at and say, ‘That’s and what makes me happy,” she said. ]
Obeying the Law As Zendaya’s stylist and co-creative director of Daya by Zendaya, Law Roach is her secret weapon when it
comes to creating a fashion identity. The L.A.-based risk-taker also tends to the fashion needs of Ariana Grande, Skai Jackson and Celine Dion.
He also is a judge on the upcoming “America’s Next Top Model.” Law sheds some light on the quirky ways he works. — By Charlie Carballo
On how “I met her through a On how “A shoe can On how “It’s a real thing. It’s On his “I’ve always been ob-
he and close friend of their his head- inspire a dress or a they not just stylist-artist, path to sessed with vintage,
Zendaya family. I was just in to-toe hairstyle I’ve been collabo- stylist-client. She’s styling: so I would go to a lot
met: the right place at the looks thinking about. [In rate on my boss, but it’s this of resale stores [and]
right time on the day come preparing to do the] styling: real, natural organic estate sales, and [I]
Justin Bieber had a together : hair and makeup thing that we have. started to collect this huge collec-
premiere for his ‘Never Say Never’ for the Met Gala, She’s not afraid of tion. I had friends over, and they
film. She was going shopping to I watched ‘Conan anything, so that makes it even [said], ‘I’ll buy that from you.’ That
figure out something to wear. The the Barbarian,’ and I wanted to do more fun. Like [during the FN turned into opening up a couple of
family friend said I was a great something reptilian-looking mixed shoot], I said, ‘Let’s do braids like boutiques, which led to styling.”
stylist, but I wasn’t a stylist at the with something Cleopatra. We did A$AP Rocky,’ and she said, ‘OK.’”
time, per se. We went shopping a customized Stuart Weitzman
and have been friends ever since.” shoe for the occassion.”
19FO OT W E A R N E WS.C O M / AU G UST 3, 2 0 1 5 / @ FO OT W E A R N E WS
SHOW ISSUE
HAMPTONS
HEAT UP
Pop ups. Parties.
Retailers fight
for exposure.
Is it working?
PICTURE
PERFECT
Designers dare
to bare with
graphics & leather
ALONG
THE WAY
Six shoe stars
talk to us — and
their younger
selves — about
career paths
THE GIRLS!
They’re the most-followed teenagers on the
planet. Kendall and Kylie Jenner exclusively
reveal their sure-to-go-viral shoe collection.PHOTO: NIKKO LA MERE Kendall and Kylie (center) with models in Los Angeles last week
The Reality Shoe
endall and Kylie Jenner are
K
piping hot. And no wonder.
They are the world’s most
famous and arguably most
powerful teenagers — and
there is no air conditioning.
It’s a scorching afternoon in
Los Angeles and the girls are
sweltering in a loft showroom downtown —
an Art Nouveau converted factory space in
the garment district with nothing but heir-
loom fans barely mustering a breeze. Both
are dressed in figure-hugging, all-black
looks. Kendall wears a blouse plunged to
the navel with a gold buckled belt, while
Kylie is poured into floor-sweeping flared
trousers and a crop top. They sit at a long
barnwood table flicking through their
phones, which one imagines are also quite
warm to the touch from an endless flow of
“likes” from their approximately 103 mil-
lion combined followers worldwide.
They are framed by two models wearing
looks from their premiere full-scale inde-
pendent label, Kendall + Kylie. Completing
the scene are racks of the spring ’16 col-
lection, which includes apparel, swimwear
and, most importantly, shoes.
Footwear News’ exclusive first look is
also the sisters’ first time seeing the line
together as a whole. It’s a big moment.
“I really love it. We’ve been excited about
this for a while,” said Kendall, 19, surveying
the smattering of Polaroids of her favorite
pieces scattered in front of her. “We’ve been
working on it for about a year, but it’s so
cool to see everything in person.”
The full-scale brand, positioned as a
contemporary line, with most clothing
From early shoe memories to their ambitious foray capped at $250 and footwear ranging from
into footwear and beyond, an exclusive inside look at
Kendall and Kylie Jenner’s biggest story yet. By Mosha Lundström Halbert$89 to $160, is being developed by license-holder and shoes we have created are so much different
Indochine International. than what we would have done two years ago.”
After an initial shoe launch with Modern Vin- The Madden deal gave them a crash course in
tage LLC last season through brothers Rick and footwear. “From him, we learned about what sells,
Brian Cytrynbaum, the shoe license was pur- what people are drawn to and also how it’s made,”
chased by Marc Fisher in June after only a month said Kylie. “We visited the [sampling] factories
of negotiations. Moving quickly, Kendall + Kylie on Long Island. That was amazing — there are so
Creative Director Chelsea Santry worked with the many elements that go into shoes.”
Fisher team and the girls to have the footwear col- The new footwear collection will include about
lection done in time for this week’s FFANY show. 70 styles for spring ’16, with an emphasis on what
“Kendall and Kylie share a unique relationship Itzkowitz calls a mix of “sexy dress and casual
with their audience that is uncompromisingly cool” silhouettes. “The girls are reinventing dress
personal, in the moment and shoes in a fresh way that will surely
trusted,” said Susan Itzkowitz, “My older sister appeal to their wide fan base.” The
president of Marc Fisher Foot- results? Strappy stilettos, sharp
wear. “They have mass appeal, Kourtney has pumps, pointed mules, flatforms
which young girls and women small feet. There and the odd flat sandal, all done in a
alike seek to emulate.” streamlined palette to complement
was a time when the apparel’s overall neutrality.
S
ince the sisters are I was really Santry, who first worked with the
part of the juggernaut girls on their Topshop capsule, sees
that is the Kardashian young where the shoes as an important element for
clan, this is not the I would fit in her this more elevated brand. “The collec-
first time (nor the
last) that products have been shoes. That was tion is more sophisticated. It’s much
more like what you see them wear,”
produced bearing their names. always fun. ” she said. Having previously worked
Earlier deals included a juniors’ Kylie Jenner with another superstar sibling set —
line with Pac Sun, a collaboration Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen — on
with Steve Madden and a recent their Textile denim line, Santry is
capsule collection for Topshop. But Kylie, who it keenly aware of both the power and the complexi-
is easy to forget is just 17, sees Kendall + Kylie as ties of the Jenner story.
their most polished project yet. “The time is different. Mary Kate and Ashley
“Our collections have evolved with us and our were the first to do it, but these girls take it to a
fans,” she said, looking up from her phone when whole other level with social media and how they
asked what she’s learned from previous adven- market themselves. Their accounts are so ‘them.’
The duo at the ESPYs 2015 tures in branding. “It’s fun because the clothes Nothing is contrived about it. When you look at
how big they are and their reach, it’s refreshing to
Kendall + Kylie spring ‘16 believe it’s actually, genuinely coming from them.”
PHOTOS: FOOTWEAR: NIKKO LA MERE; ESPYS: GETTY; IMAGES BALMAIN CAMPAIGN; COURTESY OF BRAND
Kylie, the most-viewed user on Snapchat at
press time, is acutely aware that online platforms
can ensure that the collection performs well on
the sales floor or an e-commerce site. “Social me-
dia is super-important,” she said. “A lot of people
‘like’ what we wear and what we love. Why not
wear your own stuff ?”
What Santry did not fully anticipate was how
in-the-mix Kendall and Kylie wanted to be from
the get-go. “I thought they would just want to
come and in and say ‘this is cool, that’s great,’ but
they actually want to be a lot more involved,” she
said, noting that despite thorough research, her
team has occasionally missed the mark and had
the girls veto an idea — something she welcomes.
“I watched a lot of ‘Keeping Up With the Kar-
dashians’ and looked at a ton of shots of them on
the Internet. At some point, it felt like stalking,”
Santry joked. From there, she and the Jenners
had regular in-person design meetings to discuss
22 Kendall and Kylie have both sported their brother-in-law Kanye West’s sell-out Adidas Yeezy Boost kicks recently.concepts, colors, fabrics and prints. With the Balmain fall ’15
quick turnaround of the footwear collection campaign
this season, most of the girls’ involvement has
been over e-mail.
I
t’s clear that shoes are a topic that
grabs their attention (away from
iPhones), loosens those media-trained
strings and brings a sparkle to the
sisters’ extremely lashed eyes. Even in
the sweltering showroom, shoe talk proves to be
the icebreaker.
“Growing up, we would always steal my
mom’s heels,” said Kendall. “My older sister
Kourtney has small feet. There was a time when
I was really young where I would fit in her
shoes. That was always fun,” added Kylie.
Of course, momager Kris Jenner has this
amply documented. “We have really old videos
when we were babies walking around in her
heels that didn’t fit us at all,” said Kendall, who
also dipped her toes into Kourtney’s shoe col-
lection at a young age. “She’s a size 5. When I
was growing up, first I would get her hand-me-
downs until I grew out of them. Then I would
get Kim’s. Once I grew out of those, it was on tinct power of a little lift. “Heels make me feel
to my mom’s.” so much better. I’m not as skinny as Kendall, so
The Kardashians have influenced a glam- when I’m in heels, it makes my legs look longer
orous, perma-camera-ready approach to the and slimmer.”
Jenner girls’ aesthetic. But when asked if any They both admit to a serious shoe-shopping
of their boldface family members have seen habit, which is in line with a recent “inspira-
pieces of the Kendall + Kylie line, the response tional quote” post on their @KendallandKylie
is quick. “They haven’t,” Kendall said. “We don’t Instagram. It reads “Life is short. Buy the shoes.”
want their opinion on it because we want it to “They are my favorite thing to shop for,” Kylie
be very ‘us.’ We don’t show them anything until sighed. “Some days, I’ll just go to Barneys and
it’s done and out.” Too many cooks in the Cala- try on as many as I can. I love buying shoes,” she
basas kitchen can’t be a good thing, I suggest. mused, citing Gianvito Rossi, whose heels she is
“Exactly,” she agrees. “We all have similar styles wearing, as a favorite. “He’s amazing. Oh — and
but different tastes.” Alaïa. Expensive, but the best.”
Kendall’s more assured mien stems from her “Yes!” agreed Kendall. “Best shoes. Balencia-
The sisters
unprecedented success moonlighting as a top ga, too — they kill it every time.” She lifts her leg at a Topshop
model, with contracts from Chanel and Given- to rest her gold Manolo Blahnik BB on the table event
chy to Estée Lauder. The duo also star together near Kylie, who begins to rub her foot. “I really
in the fall ’15 Balmain campaign. And their high- love Manolos. They are super-classic. And they
profile adolescence has exposed them to the best have all the good colors.”
K
footwear. “Just being able to experience all these
different shoes that we’ve worn has taught us endall + Kylie CEO Gary Hunt (who
what we like and don’t like,” Kendall said. “That also oversees their Pac Sun juniors’
definitely helps.” collection) is banking on the girls’
While they see eye-to-eye on most design newly discerning, and let’s face it,
choices, footwear can divide them. “My sisters expensive tastes translating to more “We have really old
tend to wear heels, but I’m super into flats,” said budget-conscious customers. Initially, Hunt
Kendall, noting that the collection will have is targeting a tight edit of chain and specialty videos when we were
lower styles as well. retailers. babies walking around
Kylie isn’t having it. “I don’t wear flats. Ever. “When we first did this, the goal was always
I don’t own a pair, not even gladiators,” she said. to take them worldwide. So yes, we’ve seen the in [our mom’s] heels
“Just a few sneakers — that’s the only time I’ll brand change significantly as they have gotten that didn’t fit us.”
wear a flat.” Already, she’s caught on to the dis- older and their interests have changed,” he said, Kendall Jenner
23noting that on the brand’s social media,
70 percent of the sisters’ followers are Marc Jacobs
from the U.S, followed by Canada, the
FOOT
U.K. and Australia. “As they’ve seen what
their [older] sisters have done in fash-
ion,” Hunt said, “it’s brought out their
NOTES
desire to be a part of it. And as a model,
Kendall has gotten such great experience
working with designers.”
Hunt added that it’s too early for sales
targets. “We are focusing on the process The sisters sound off
and investing in that. We’ve spoken to on fashion, footwear
most of the major department stores,
and the interest level is extremely high and life in the fast lane.
Givenchy
— almost too high. We want to scale
You, in shoe form?
it back and intelligently manage the
“I’m a lace-up thigh-high.”
launch to make a good first impression.”
— Kylie Craziest runway shoe?
That potential is hard to ignore. In
“I wore these shoes for Marc Jacobs that were just like a
fact, as Hunt is offering his strategy, “I’m like a cool boot heel. Or a bright heel with the top [upper] all just laces. They taped our feet
Kylie and Kendall are doing a little prod- metallic pump, like my Manolos.” in, and it was super-sticky. I had tape on my feet for like
uct-seeding by providing his team with — Kendall three days afterwards.” — Kendall
a list of friends they want to gift specific
pieces to immediately. Pink Post-its Shoe don’ts? Sibling with the
bearing the names of their inner circle “I’m not into clogs. most shoes?
No, you won’t find a “Khloe. She has a
— which includes Taylor Swift, Gigi and
Kendall + Kylie clog.” ton — the most of
Bella Hadid, Hailey Baldwin and Cara — Kendall any of us. Now, she
Delevingne — are attached to samples Prada
and I are both a size
destined for highly connected members “But you know what I like? 40. It’s the best. The
of what’s been called the new Brat Pack. Prada just came out with the other day, she had
“[But] dopest heels with wooden With sister to get rid of a lot of
“Just being able people we soles. I like the wood vibe, but Khloe
Kardashian
her shoes because
it has to be done right.” she had too many.
to experience all know who
support us — Kylie She gave away 26
these different wouldn’t pairs, and I almost
cried.” — Kendall
shoes that we’ve wear some-
thing if What would someone be surprised to discover if
How has your style evolved?
worn has taught they didn’t they spent a day in your shoes?
“Probably that I’m not that confident — it’s sad, I know. “Going through puberty, you get
us what we like it,” said
Kendall.
People would be surprised to know that. But I like to tits, an ass and you learn how
to dress for your body. That’s
think that I rock everything I wear, and shoes can make
like and don’t Santry you more confident.” something we both had to figure 2008
like. It definitely them hav- appreciates — Kylie out. You get more confident with
yourself and what you like.
helps.” ing Swifty “Maybe that I’m more fun than I look!” Everyone’s always changing —
liking things for five minutes and
& Co. on — Kendall
Kendall Jenner then moving on.” — Kendall
speed-dial.
PHOTOS: FOOTWEAR: COURTESY OF BRANDS; RUNWAY, JENNERS: GETTY IMAGES
Favorite Shoes?
“They are naturally genius marketers,” Azzedine “Givenchy has really great shoes.”
Santry said, relishing this relatively Alaïa — Kylie Career advice?
low-cost, covetable, highly effective form “Our family did a good job of
teaching us to stay humble.
of Internet-centric celebrity placement. “And they are actually pretty
comfortable.” I’ve heard this from so many
“Traditional routes aren’t targeted
— Kendall people — you’ve got to find
enough to keep up with their following,” your balance. Make time for
Hunt agreed. “I can barely keep up.” work, family, friends. That’s
“Alaia! Best heels. I like Chanel’s With
Speaking of keeping up, while it’s still the key to keeping sane. If
boots a lot.” mom
early in the game, chances are the older — Kendall Kris you are taking, you can give.
Kardashians will soon be outpaced by Chanel
So if you take the time for
their younger, more socially engaged and “Oh, yes — Alaia, too! They are yourself, you’re going to
agile Jenner siblings. super-expensive but some of my give more when you are out
there working.”
And if the footwear is anything to go favorite shoes.“
— Kylie — Kendall
by, they better buckle-up those booties.
“We will be wearing it,” Kendall said.
24FOOTWEAR NEWS SPY
AUGUST 20 1 5
Gaming
Las Vegas
Showgirl styles,
SUM
Instagram stars
& killer shoes for
strutting The Strip
Piping Hot
BLONDE
Summer sandals
get tropical
for resort ’16
The world’s most
popular fashion
blogger has followers
racing to be in her
shoes — and Chiara
Ferragni is just
getting started.# Ferragni, photographed for FN at The New York Edition
EYES
She’s already
a superstar in
the social media
world and a front-
ON
row regular. Now,
Chiara Ferragni
is determined to
conquer the shoe
THE
business — and
she’s off to a A personal appearance
at Apropos in Berlin
roaring start.
By Mosha
Lundström
PRIZE
Halbert
#
Photographed by
Leslie Kirchhoff
At Paris Fashion Week
world, the Cremona, Italy–born, Harvard published a 16-page
Los Angeles–based Ferragni has case study on her last year (cue
a rapt audience at her fingertips. #theblondesaladgoestoharvard
The millennial community she has photo op).
strategically cultivated is eager to How did a law student who
At Milan Fashion Week
click, share and most importantly began posting amateur outfit
consume whatever she shows shots online in 2009 emerge as a
them, be they collaborations with fashion force to be reckoned with?
theblondesaladneverstops. That’s Steve Madden and Superga or Very carefully, it turns out, with
Chiara Ferragni’s catchphrase paid posts for, say, Ca’ del Bosco, highly calculated precision fueled
on Instagram, where she has At Haute Couture
a wine company — all recent side by her huge fan base.
Fashion Week
more than 4.7 million followers projects. And now she’s setting “So many people were
spanning three accounts. The her sights on the shoe world, interested in what I was doing
word mashup — a reference to where her Chiara Ferragni from the beginning,” said Ferragni
her peripatetic pace — has been Collection is expected to pull one recent afternoon from her
hashtagged tens of thousands in more than 10 million euros, suite at New York City’s The
of times. It’s a fitting mantra or about $11 million at current Edition hotel. She’s all-angles thin,
for the driven 28-year-old, who exchange, in 2016. with a photogenic head of mussed
today sits at the very apex of the While some might be skeptical amber waves — a shade that isn’t
web-lebrity pyramid. of her power, one can’t just quite blonde anymore.
Widely considered the top write Ferragni off as yet another Not that it matters these days,
personal style blogger in the blogger, particularly when with her evolving brand and
Ferragni was the first blogger to grace the cover of Vogue, appearing on the Spanish edition’s April 2015 issue. 27theblondesalad.com now functioning pit stops a priority every season.
as an editorial site that attracts luxury “My designers are amazing. I’ve
advertisers. The bulk of the content is always loved their style. It changed the
created by her 18-strong team in Milan. whole concept once I put them in place,”
Known for her of-the-moment fashion she said. “Now we brainstorm and go
sense, today Ferragni is wearing a through the creative process together.
relatively pared-down outfit: a striped They understand what I love. When they
Stefanel sweater and vintage tailored come to me with ideas, it’s rare that it’s
jeans by Redone. One’s gaze can’t help something I wouldn’t wear.”
but go straight to her shoes — a pair of Ferragni’s transparency and candor
Chiara Ferragni Collection pointed loafers when it comes to her involvement in her
covered in glitter, featuring her go-to collection is refreshing, particularly in an
ocular motif on the toe. “The flirty eye is age when countless bloggers, actors, pop
our signature,” she said of the label, which and reality stars claim to have “designed”
is a separate entity from The Blonde Salad. or “collaborated on” collections when
“I have a bit of an obsession with eyes they might have merely been on an e-mail
and always want to use them.” The first chain — or, in some cases, just blindly
collection debuted for fall 2010, and this doled out their name for a fat sum. There
detail is now just as recognizable — and, is no entitled appropriation of the word
indeed, ’gram-able — as Ferragni herself. “designer” here. Perhaps because it’s
B
footwear, and Ferragni is from Italy, home
ut while her shoes might appear to the very best, she knows better than to
less than serious, Ferragni cares misrepresent her skill set.
deeply about their made-in-Italy “I’m more the creative director,” she
quality as she aggressively works said with no qualms. “I mean, I cannot
to grow her business. (Her cut is design shoes. It’s my ideas, and they
10 percent of profits.) translate them into the designs. I’ve never
“When I started, I didn’t have any done fashion school or anything like that.
idea of production or how things worked But I have good instincts.”
in footwear,” she said in her rapid-fire, It certainly helps that those instincts
accented English, with her French bulldog, can be verified in virtual nanoseconds via
Matilda, on her lap. “I’ve always been into her followers, who act as a sounding board
shoes and bags. Shoes, I’ve always felt like for the shoes, which she often wears,
I could do. And there is much more space snaps and posts.
A
for new people [today],” she explained.
“But bags are such a different, difficult lessio Sanzogni — GM of The
product. I already have so many favorites, Blonde Salad (or TBS) and the
and they are the iconic brands.” Indeed, on Chiara Ferragni Collection, who
her feeds, there’s a steady stream of Birkin, formerly headed digital at Louis
Celine, Chanel and the like. Vuitton in Italy — attests that
With Calvin Klein
Together with her CEO/co-founder the brand relies heavily on social media Creative Director
and former boyfriend, Riccardo Pozzoli, for direction. “Reading our comments is Francisco Costa
Ferragni initially entered a footwear- like having a consulting firm. They are at the 2015 Met Gala
license agreement before taking super-picky and don’t think twice about
ownership with the help of an angel giving feedback,” he said. Ferragni said
investor and a sales manager in 2013. she reads and applies the input. “I receive
Next, they hired a three-person design such instant comments on what I post. I’m
team in Milan. Despite the nine-hour so aware of everything that is happening
time difference between California around me in the fashion scene. So now I
and Italy, Ferragni stays in constant get to know immediately if a lot of people
contact with the designers and visits the will like a shoe.”
headquarters about every month and a And “like” them they do. The collection,
half for a week. She also makes factory which retails from $217 to $400, includes
CHIARA ON ... The appeal of her line:
“It’s not for everyone. My shoes
Footwear learning curves:
“It’s much more difficult than
Her current base:
“My home is in L.A. There are A spring ’16 pump
are not simple nor minimalist. it looks like, especially when so many young, creative people
Being a brand:
There are so many other brands you decide to make things in there. All of my friends do
“We don’t want this to be
that do that very well. But I want Italy. So many people we tried something artistic. It’s a good
celebrity merchandise. It has to
to be something else. I want to work with for production lifestyle and not too expensive.
be a full collection with its own
to be pop, fun and at the same said that what we wanted to Everybody works hard but takes
At Paris identity, disconnected from me
time accessible to people of all do wasn’t possible. But I didn’t time for themselves, which is
Fashion
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES
as a personality. I don’t wear it
ages — including those who are want something indifferent. You very important at this time in
Week every day or have to promote it
older than me. That’s what we really have to select the people my life. When I travel, I work
all the time. It has to be strong
are working on. The collections you work with. When you trust 99 percent of the time. When
by itself. Then of course, I’m
keep getting better and more them, everything comes easily.” I am back in L.A., I work too,
proud, so I try to wear it.”
focused.” but I always have some days
completely off.”
28“I’m more the
creative director.
I cannot design
shoes. But I have
good instincts.”
Chiara Ferragni
A shot from the
fall ’15 campaign
espadrilles, sandals, flats, sneakers, pumps capsule together this month, and Oliveros
and boots. None of them could be described sees great potential for the brand. “She
as basic, nor discreet, with interchangeable should continue to home in on what works
Velcro emoticon patches and personal slogans for her — from an evolution perspective, she
across the toe box like “Never Stop” in has already grown,” he said. “She’s definitely
block caps. on the right path.”
F
While the footwear is definitely loud,
it’s hard to knock Ferragni — whose own ellow online influencers, twin sisters
aesthetic can skew a tad flashy — when major Caillianne and Samantha Beckerman
retailers such as Level Shoe District, Nastygal. of Beckerman Blog, admire their
com, Shopbop.com, Harvey Nichols, Brown’s friend’s ability to translate her persona
Shoes, Saks and Nordstrom are lining up into a bankable business. “Her shoe
to stock the label. “When we started, we line fits who she is perfectly,” said Samantha
wanted to be in the best stores. By being Beckerman. “We went to her party at Le
very selective with our product, we got there, Bon Marché Paris last year, and there were
beside so many other great shoe designers of hundreds of fans there lined up to see her.
my dreams,” Ferragni said, beaming. (Still, She just has that energy.” Caillianne added
when asked what shoe designers she admires, that with Ferragni’s friendly, hyper-positive
it’s the one time she does, well, stop, drawing demeanor, she is inclusive versus exclusive.
a blank.) “They feel like they know her through her blog
For stores, the appeal of Ferragni’s line is and Instagram. And with her shoe line, people
as much about her as the shoes. For instance, feel like they can be a part of her posse. That’s
in 2014, Level Shoe District in Dubai got really appealing.”
a buzzy boost from Ferragni’s in-store The footwear piece of the Ferragni pie
appearance to launch exclusive styles. “The continues to develop with an expansion
response was phenomenal,” said merchandise focusing on the U.S. market — the brand will
and buying manager Alberto Oliveros, who be on the floor in Las Vegas this week. “My
added that 300 pairs were sold within three following is international. I get recognized
hours. “Chiara’s shoe collection is quirky everywhere,” she said. (The proof is in the
and fun — it speaks to our contemporary paparazzi shots.) “I wear my shoes a lot.
Eyes appear throughout
clientele, who are very social media savvy.” I love saying it’s my brand.” Because right now, Ferragni’s fall ’15 and
The partners are launching a new espadrille Ferragni is where it’s @. spring ’16 collections
30STYLE
After 40 years in the
business, Manolo
Blahnik is having a
moment (again!) by
sticking to exactly what
he does best: brilliant
shoes BY MOSHA
LUNDSTRÖM HALBERT
RENAISSANCE
MANOLO
SUDDENLY, UNEXPECTEDLY, BUT WITH Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. A call is
great bravado, Manolo Blahnik begins to made. Countless emails between Blahnik’s
sing. “Watching me get undressed. La la la New York and London offices are fired off.
la la la. Go play a video gameee,” he purrs Weeks, then months pass. I start to accept
from over the pond. “I am mad, just mad that the closest I’ll get to MB are the
about Lana Del Rey because she is kind of pointed toe suede BB pumps I bought in a
an unbalanced and sad thing.” last ditch effort to send a sort of smoke
PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY OF MANOLO BLAHNIK. FOR WHERE TO BUY, SEE STYLESOURCE.
Okay, so we are speaking via telephone signal his way. Then one morning, his
(ABOVE):
FOOTWEAR (he ensconced at his London HQ, me in my abrupt press attaché Karolina rings. “Mr.
PHENOM- Toronto cubicle), but I imagine he has leapt Blahnik is able to do this interview today.
ENON MANOLO
BLAHNIK, to his feet in his signature gray suit and Call us back in 10 minutes.” Click. “Mr.
DESIGNER
OF PEERLESS bowtie to belt out the song with great style. Blahnik?” says this reporter exactly 600
PUMPS (MAIN
SHOT): THE BB,
It’s a telling gesture, evidence that at 70, this seconds later. “Ms. Lundström?” he coos
$595, FROM HIS prolific, CBE-holding designer is both in the right back. And we’re off.
FALL 2012
COLLECTION. moment and of it. Designing unwavering The timing of our conversation is spot
footwear that is not quite classic, but never, on. After the past few seasons of extremely
ever trendy either, all the while keeping a dangerous, borderline farcical footwear, the
finger—or in the case of his creations, a platform-less, triangular-toed, delicate heel
toe—on the cultural pulse. has returned to favour. On-the-go women
But let’s back up a bit. This memorable such as Rihanna, Victoria Beckham (who
snippet has come after months of working he collaborated with for the first time on
various angles to secure precious time with her Spring ’13 open-toe boots) and, well,
Blahnik. A friend at family shoe business me, who were fed up with stumbling their
Davids Footwear, Richard Markowitz, knows way through city streets, ankles quivering
his brand president George Malkemus, an with fear, have turned to his elegant
avid dairy farmer who frequents Toronto’s creations as an antidote, while longtime >
X2 FLARE DECEMBER 2012 www.flare.comSTYLE
LATELY, VIXENS
VICTORIA BECKHAM
AND RIHANNA HAVE
DONE AWAY WITH
today how extraordinary growing up in the BRASH PLATFORMS IN
FAVOUR OF
fifties was. You’ve seen Mad Men, yes? It was BLAHNIK’S
FLATTER-
more or less like that.” ING CUTOUT
“Mad”(a favourite Manolo word) is also STYLES AND
STRAPPY
how he endearingly describes his “groomed SANDALS.
to death, absolutely beautiful” mother’s love
of fashion, with frequent visits to Cristóbal
Balenciaga’s ateliers in Madrid and Paris.
“Things on the islands were not like any-
where in the world. We had to wait for
BLAHNIK’S
SKETCHES materials, chiffons, even shoes, so she would
OF HIS
RED HOT
make things herself,” he remembers. “She
VULGARA even went to this [cobbler] and asked him to
AND MOLO
HEELS teach her how to make shoes.”
After this potassium-rich, posh youth,
Blahnik’s father sent him off to study politics
and law at University of Geneva in the false
hope he would become a diplomat. “Abso-
devotees (Anna Wintour, Sarah Jessica lutely horrrrrrrrible,” he recounts. He quickly
Parker and Ashley Olsen) smugly contin- switched disciplines to architecture and
ued their unencumbered strides. literature, but it still wasn’t right, so he
What is it like to have been right all along? decamped to Paris and studied set design.
AR s bestor RD
“You know I hate platforms,” he starts, voice Upon graduation, Blahnik flew to New York
archly rising in pitch. “Vulgar. That’s what I to look for work in film or theatre. A meeting
GU now the UA
D st y:
think of them and that kind of gaudiness. arranged by friend Paloma Picasso with
D olo rkal of G
I call them celebrity stuff—all those awful legendary editor Diana Vreeland, then of
OL Maen mo EW
shoes. You can buy them on Hollywood American Vogue, changed everything. He
Boulevard by the pound for half what you showed her a portfolio of sketches, including
N
pay in Europe.” a few of his whimsical footwear musings.
Clearly, Manolo knows best. After 40 years “Just stick to shoes,” he remembers her
Th
of turning out signature spindly stilettos and extolling, snapping his book shut.
dainty slipper flats, this prolific designer finds Sounds like Diana knew best, though his
himself having yet another unintentional designs have made frequent cameos on the
moment. “I have always been doing the same big screen. “That is something I can do with
thing, on my terms,” he offers as explanation. pleasure because I love the atmosphere,”
And is he aware of his relevance once more? says the film buff (his movie collection fills
“Pointed toes started up this year again. You several rooms in his Bath estate). Today,
know why? Because it makes women very Blahnik can count Sofia Coppola’s Marie
elegant in a funny way,” Blahnik says. “I have Antoniette, The Hunger Games and “that one
to think pure and not be intimidated by about vampires, I don’t even know what it is
SKETCHES, COURTESY OF MANOLO BLAHNIK. CELEBRITY PHOTOGRAPHY, GETTY IMAGES.
anything that’s going on around me,” he called” (try Twilight) as proof.
contends on the flippant nature of trends. But before his shoe star was born—or
“I’ve never followed fashion as such. I really he even had a proper collection under his
have formed my own view. Why should I belt—madcap designer Ossie Clark asked
change? If I do now that I’m just an old him to make his runway footwear in 1972.
boy, I would be betraying myself.” Blahnik may have forgotten to add proper
Manuel “Manolo” Blahnik Rodríguez was steel supports to the wobbly heels, but still, his
born in the Canary Islands in 1942, the cherry-festooned designs quickly caught on.
eldest child (his sister Evangelina helps run Practically overnight, Pretty Young Things—
his office) to a glamorous Spanish mother from Jane Birkin to Charlotte Rampling and
and Czech banana plantation owner father. Marisa Berenson—were skipping about ELEGANT BEYOND
“I had very privileged young years,” he tells town in Manolos. In a backwards approach, HER YEARS, ASHLEY
OLSEN PRIMARILY
me. “My mother was exquisite, my father only then did he begin to master the craft of WEARS MANOLOS
AND USED VINTAGE
was wonderful and having the bananas shoemaking to keep up with his wealth of CROC STYLES FOR
around you smells just marvelous,” he adds, ideas and clients. THE ROW’S RUNWAY.
AND EVEN BEFORE
punctuating each adjective theatrically. Even still today, he has no design assistants CARRIE BRADSHAW’S
BANK-BREAKING SHOE
“At the time you could only get bananas in and sketches every single style himself, whilst HABIT, SARAH JESSICA
Europe from the Canary Islands—it was the fastidiously overseeing production at his PARKER SOLELY WORE
THEM.
boom years. I realize when I see youngsters factory on the outskirts of Milan. With crea->
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