Manolo Blahnik

“Franca Sozzani once said something about John Galliano that I thought was perfect. She said that ‘Dior’s solution and salvation would be to bring back that man,’–and I agree. Of course he would never do that after being so badly treated. What he said was horrific, but said under the influence of drugs and alcohol–that is no reason to destroy talent.”

Manolo Blahnik to Vogue UK, about the possibility of Galliano returning to Dior. Read more »

An elaborate drug smuggling network from Colombia was recently dismantled in Barcelona. The fascinating operation involved disguising cocaine as high heels by sculpting a liquid form of the drug into stilettos, which would later be broken back down into powder. However, they weren’t just any high heels; these masterful drug dealers were apparently making cocaine replicas of Manolo Blahniks, specifically.

We’re not sure if Colombian drug traffickers watch a lot of Sex and the City or are big fans of Anna Wintour‘s ubiquitous mules. Perhaps it’s just because Manolo is one of the most famous names in women’s footwear. Whatever the reason, according to EITB.com, the traffickers themselves, a 34-year-old man and his 24-year-old wife, described the women’s shoes as “Manolos,” by name. The police investigation, which began over a year ago, was even officially dubbed “Operation Manolos.”

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This looks like the most fun wedding reception ever. It probably was. Unofficial Mosstock photog Terry Richardson has been posting pics from last weekend’s Kate Moss/Jamie Hince festivities on his blog all morning. They are so casual and unprofessional-looking, like he’s just some dude uploading pics from someone’s wedding onto Facebook except the bride is a supermodel all the guests are beautiful and famous.

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It was hard not to notice the cameras trailing Andre Leon Talley at the Savannah College of Art and Design this past weekend. Talley, who’s a member of SCAD’s board and was in town for the art school’s annual senior fashion show and a panel with good friend Manolo Blahnik, was reportedly filming his very own reality show. But since it’s yet to be picked up by a particular channel–we would have heard about it at last week’s Upfronts if it was debuting this fall–we’re wondering: Who’s behind this new venture? Three possibilities:

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SAVANNAH–Good designers may have flashes of brilliance, but legendary designers marry that inborn talent with a great deal of hard work. And in Manolo Blahnik‘s case, more modesty than one would expect.

On Saturday, just hours before its top 25 senior fashion collections were shown to students, press, and industry insiders alike, the Savannah College of Art and Design hosted a chat with shoe king Blahnik and his good friend (and SCAD board member) Andre Leon Talley, moderated by Eric Wilson from the New York Times.

Blahnik, who was honored with the AndrĂ© Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award at the SCAD senior fashion show later that evening, did a bit of reminiscing with Talley about Bianca Jagger, Fire Island, and Sophia Loren’s feet. But his answers to Wilson’s questions about the industry weren’t as cookie cutter as one might expect from such an established name. “I’m still trying to make it,” he said off-offhandedly at one moment.

What we learned:

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The FNO buzz is out of control, with retailers worldwide throwing lavish parties and bringing out the big guns to attract shoppers. While Bergdorf’s and Barneys’ bashes are the most elaborate, not everyone wants to stand in crowded rooms shuffling for fun.

Here are some of the best smaller events that are sure to be a blast. There’s everything from DVF’s high tech bash to Kiki de Montparnasse’s kinky party to yoga at Adidas for those who just want to relax.

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Fashion’s Night Out is a little more than a month away and more details are being revealed around the world as the night gets closer.

For one, Hamish Bowles and Lauren Santo-Domingo will not be the only Vogue editors to appear on the September 20 FNO-themed Gossip Girl episode. Vogue market editor Meredith Melling-Burke will also make an appearance and we hear she’s wearing Chloe.

In other news, Payless is offering Facebook fans a chance to win a 5-day trip to NYC for Fashion’s Night Out. The “All Fashion Pass” will include access to the Vogue fashion show and a meet and greet with Payless designers Christian Siriano, Patricia Field, Lela Rose and Isabel Toledo. This actually sounds really cool.

From NYC to Australia, Chanel to Billy Reid, we’ve got the scoop on even more major FNO events you won’t want to miss.

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The auction of a lifetime is coming to Christie’s London this September. Isabella Blow’s clothing collection of over 90, yes 90, Alexander McQueen pieces, 60 Philip Treacy hats, and an assortment of Manolo Blahnik shoes is going up for sale. We can’t even imagine spectacle of watching Isabella’s legendary wardrobe auctioned off or the high [...]

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Cinema Shots: Caroline Trentini and Raquel Zimmerman got to hang out with Nicholas Hoult for this colorful shoot in Vogue Nippon (which was shot in our neighborhood!). We’re jealous—of the shoes, the boys, the hair etc. {FashionGoneRogue} Bleecker Embraces Men: Two shops have opened in the West Village this week. Gant’s Rugger store is at [...]

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Nothing beats an invite with the following names listed in bold print: Daphne Guinness, Manolo Blahnik, Stephen Jones, Giles Deacon and Yasmin LeBon. That’s the list of judges for the first ever Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. The only problem is that we don’t know exactly what it is, who’s nominated, or what the winner gets, [...]

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Fashion Is Fun

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At the end of August, we wrote an Adventures in Copyright begging Alexander McQueen to do something about Steve Madden’s blatant copies. Some of you agreed, one commenter asked, “Do you think McQueen cares this much?” To which of course we’d heartily answer yes. So you can imagine, or try to, how high we jumped [...]

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