Manolo Blahnik Shoes

It's not just Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw who loves her Manolo Blahnik shoes. Manolos are the shoe of choice these days for everyone from celebrities to brides-to-be. They're the shoes that every fashonista covets and the shoes that have caused more than a few credit cards to be maxed out. Here's what you need to you about Manolos...

A Short History

"Please sir," Carrie Bradshaw begs the man who's just about to mug her, "You can take my Fendi baguette, you can take my ring and my watch, but don't take my Manolo Blahniks."

Such are the emotions that Manolo Blahnik shoes inspire. And the man who inspires the shoes, Manolo Blahnik himself, is no less extraordinary. Born in the Canary Islands, Blahnik's parents hoped he'd become a diplomat. However, a childhood spent poring over his mother's fashion magazines and watching her make her own footwear had spawned a lifelong fascination with shoes. He opened his own store in London in 1973, and the rest is fashion history.

Manolo Blahnik Shoe Styles

"You put on high heels and you change," says Blahnik. This philosophy perhaps explains why so many of Manolo's signature styles feature frighteningly high heels. Manolo devotees know that the higher the heel, the longer the leg and the more flattering the style. It's one of the reasons these shoes have become the "must have" item for any fashion-forward female.

Although spindly heels and pointed toes form the mainstay of the collections, Manolo's come in all shapes and sizes. There are pretty ballet flats and kitten heels, so you'll have no problem finding a pair of Manolo's to suit every occasion.

Spring Season at Manolo Blahnik

Animal prints feature heavily in Manolo's 2006 Spring/Summer collection, with zebra print open-toe Mary Janes and leopard print pumps taking center stage alongside black, tan, and sequined offerings. Color is a big-part of the Blahnik collection, with multi-colored prints appearing on shoes of every style.

For summer days and nights, there's also a selection of thong sandals, which come either with heels or without. You'll even find mules in both leopard and tiger print.

One of the styles Blahnik is most famous for is the high-heeled Mary Jane, which is worn this season in patent leather and your choice of color. The slingback "halter" style, meanwhile, comes in low, mid, or high heels, and just about every color you can think of.

Who's Wearing Them?

While Sarah Jessica Parker remains Manolo's most famous fan (she even has a pair of the shoes named after her!), all of her Sex and the City co-stars have been spotted in the shoes. Supermodel Linda Evangelista also has a pair named after her.

Buying Manolo Blahnik Shoes

If you have a few hundred dollars to spare (Manolos are almost as famous for their price tag as for their style), you'll obviously need to know where to buy a pair of your very own.

Most large department stores stock Manolo Blahnik. Check out: Neiman Marcus' Manolo collection online, for example. Of course, if money is tight, there's always eBay – search for Manolo Blahnik shoes and see what you find!

• Women in Knee High Boots
• Fashion Stiletto Boots
• High Heels Models
• Shoe Style Rules Quiz
• Shoe Fads and Trends Quiz

• Discount Ugg Boots
• SAS Shoes
• Buying SAS Shoes
• Sexy High Heels
• Off Broadway Shoes

• Chanel Fall Shoes
• Michael Antonio Shoes
• Baby Phat Shoes
• Prada Shoes
• Women's Designer Shoes