January 29, 2016
Manolo Bhalnik pumps
London-based shoemaker Manolo Blahnik’s designs have been seen on countless television and silver screens, and now the man behind the shoes is the subject of a documentary.
The biographical feature film, titled “Manolo (The boy who made shoes for lizards)” is directed by Michael Roberts and produced by Nevision Studio One Limited. In addition to museum retrospectives, the careers and personal lives of iconic designers are often explored through cinema to bring the creative’s story to a wider audience.
Carrie’s favorite
Manolo (The boy who made shoes for lizards) is an in-depth exploration of Mr. Blahnik’s career and features a high-profile assortment of customers and the designer’s peers.
Those who sat for interviews regarding Mr. Blahnik and his footwear include Anna Wintour, Paloma Picasso, Candace Bushnell Charlotte Olympia Dellal, Iman, Jamie Preto, Rihanna, Naomi Campbell, David Bailey, Isaac Mizrahi, Joan Burstein, Mary Beard, Colin McDowell, Penelope Tree and Rupert Everett.
While “Sex in the City” franchise popularized Mr. Blahnik’s label, Sarah Jessica Parker, who played Carrie Bradshaw on the show, is not included in the roster of interviewees.
Manolo Blahnik at a book signing event at Saks Fifth Avenue's shoe salon (see story)
Mr. Roberts, who is Vanity Fair’s style editor at large, said “Having known Manolo for over 30 years, I can say he is a multifaceted intellectual and romantic whose engaging mind and ingenious work is made for entertaining cinema.”
Production of the documentary is under way with Content Media holding the worldwide sales rights to the film. According to WWD, Content Media will introduce the film to distributors in Berlin, during the European Film Market in February.
In a statement, Jamie Carmichael, film president at Content Media, said, “Manolo Blahnik is fashion royalty and the king of his craft. He also happens to be a wonderfully colorful and fascinating man, with a unique world view.”
The apparel and accessories community often gives consumers an insider’s peek.
Over the summer, French footwear and accessories label Christian Louboutin opened the doors on its operations and its eponymous founder’s lifestyle with a documentary for British television.
“Christian Louboutin: The World’s Most Luxurious Shoes,” which aired on Channel 4 Aug. 11, followed a year in Mr. Louboutin’s life as he worked to grow his 20-year-old label’s business in Asia. With its strong core of brand fans, this first-ever documentary for the brand was likely met with interest as viewers tuned in to get to know the designer behind the red soled shoes (see story).
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