Heel, man, heel

Last week, Hollywood thanked the designer for his contributions to the entertainment and fashion industries by awarding him the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Award. Known for his whimsical, colour-drenched takes on the classic stiletto (priced from $525 to $2,685), Blahnik sparked the current craze for designer shoes with artisan pedigrees.

The designer, who’s fond of wearing bow ties and Saville Row suits, had the Design Museum in London stage a major exhibition of his work, Blahnik, 65, dipped his well-shod foot into film when he crafted the ornate, flare-heeled shoes for Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, which won an Oscar for best costume design.

Excerpts from an interview:

My factory made these with my own lasts. I was going to do a combination of colours, but it would be like an eccentric person in a madhouse or something. I was going to wear one violet and one orange, which is very matador.

•How do you feel about getting a star on Rodeo Drive?

It’s beyond meaningful. Can you imagine? We’re going to do it on Rodeo Drive, and that land belonged to Greta Garbo, one of the great movie actresses that I’ve adored forever. I love it.

•You have designed all kinds of shoes—from flats and sandals to boots. Are there any shoe silhouettes you don’t care for?

I don’t do platforms. I find them ugly. They’re dangerous, and not very flattering for women’s legs.

•Do you sometimes design with certain women in mind?

I used to, but I don’t think it’s very nice. I do have fantasies—I love people of my time, like Julie Christie.

•What, in your opinion, is the most beautiful shoe silhouette?

A light, beautiful shoe. I like pumps. And it’s the most difficult shoe for me to cut. It’s got to be perfect. You’ve got to show just exactly the right amount of cleavage—just a little to suggest. I love thin heels. Also, I think it’s fantastic to see a shoe lived in. Maybe it’s a perversion, but I like it.

... contd.