Manolo Blahnik goes for gold with new footwear collection
Spanish fashion designer celebrates landmark 50th anniversary

“Gold!” exclaims Manolo Blahnik, during a phone call from La Palma. Blahnik grew up here, under the sun and by the sea of Spain’s Canary Islands. Today, “Our Golden Year” is what ignited Blahnik’s rallying cry: his treasure chest collection of footwear, unveiled in time to honour 50 years in business.
It’s a golden jubilee of sorts, and one that has seen Blahnik partner with fellow tastemakers – among them designers Ossie Clark, Jean Muir and, more recently, Grace Wales Bonner, plus filmmaker Sofia Coppola – and author designs inspired by literature, art and a colourful cast of muses. Blahnik has told his biography in a feature film; his work has been displayed in galleries and museums, from London’s Wallace Collection to the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Not that he is too concerned with the milestone anniversary. “A milestone? To me, it feels like 50 days that I have been working,” he deadpans. “To me, it’s a very small time. Every collection we do has some gold shoes. It’s nothing new to me.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Our Golden Year celebrates Blahnik’s five decades of creation with glistening, glowing and even sparkling flourish. To Blahnik, the collection’s richly hued theme provided food for thought and contemplation. “This is not the time to do things like that,” he said. “But, I cannot be unfaithful to myself and do something just because it is more commercial, or because it is not the time. I do what I do, and that’s it. I really like to create some kind of controversy. And I like gold.”
With a Midas touch, Blahnik has cast timeless models – the buckled Hangisi, or the Nadira, a pointed court shoe crowned with an asymmetrical crystal leaf-shaped embellishment – in satins dyed to glisten with a near liquid gold effect. A group of macramé footwear requires golden lurex thread to be woven by hand; elsewhere, a metallic lace effect is inviting to the fingertips. There are golden tassels and feathers, too. “Gold has always been inspiring,” said their creator.
When working on this collection, Blahnik let his mind wander, recalling personal memories of gold and the golden shoes he previously read about in history books. “I wanted to tell you, the first gold shoes in the world were worn by the Greeks,” he said. “Actors in Greece used to wear huge chunks of gold, very high, to project themselves in the amphitheatre. Then, of course, the Egyptians!”
The “Flequillohi” is a stand-out boot that Blahnik is enamoured with. “I love this shoe,” he said. “I wanted to make it in silk but silk was very frail so we did it in satin silk, which we can double up and which is much stronger. I have never seen one with bells, very practical!”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Pope Francis dies at 88
Speed Read 'How much contempt is stirred up at times toward the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants,' Pope Francis wrote in his final living message
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Today's political cartoons - April 21, 2025
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - egg prices, ICE, and more
By The Week US
-
Russia removes the Taliban's terrorist designation as their connections grow
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Exploring the three great gardens of Japan
The Week Recommends Beautiful gardens are 'the stuff of Japanese landscape legends'
By The Week UK
-
One-pan black chickpeas with baharat and orange recipe
The Week Recommends This one-pan dish offers bold flavours, low effort and minimum clean up
By The Week UK
-
G20: Viola Davis stars in 'ludicrous' but fun action thriller
The Week Recommends The award-winning actress plays the 'swashbuckling American president' in this newly released Prime Video film
By The Week UK
-
6 must-see homes in Boston
Feature Featuring a factory-turned-loft in South Boston and a wraparound roof deck in South End
By The Week US
-
Cartier at the V&A: a 'dazzling' show
The Week Recommends A 'once-in-a-lifetime' display of the French jeweller's 'exquisite' objects
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK
-
What is Free Speech?: a 'meticulous' look at the evolution of freedom of expression
The Week Recommends Fara Dabhoiwala provides both history and critique while 'correcting misconceptions'
By The Week UK
-
Rupert Gavin shares his favourite books
The Week Recommends The theatre impresario picks works by Dan Jones, Annie Ernaux and Floella Benjamin
By The Week UK
-
What They Found: Sam Mendes's powerful debut documentary
The Week Recommends The Oscar-winning director's harrowing film features footage and first-hand accounts of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp
By The Week UK