Fashion’s Night Out, the annual shopping extravaganza organised in association with Vogue, was in full swing and if there was one piece of treasure I was hell-bent on scooping it was Manolo Blahnik’s pop-up shop opening at Liberty, hosted by the god of foot candy himself.
Blahnik has made a name for himself as a master of shoe design, creating art-pieces that have cosseted the feet of everyone from the late Princess Diana to Carrie in Sex and the City, but while his flagship boutique in Kensington’s Old Church street might be a stomping ground for the well heeled, he has rarely embarked on any collaborations with department stores, which makes the launch of his ‘World of Manolo’ collection for iconic store Liberty a rather fabulous first.
And it seemed that I was not the only one looking to enjoy a light dusting of Manolo magic as when I arrived at Liberty a 1000-strong queue of hungry style seekers was snaking around the block touting shoe boxes and books all looking to be signed.
Through the double doors of the Tudor emporium, standing in a perfectly cut indigo suit and amidst the throng of jostling photographers was the immaculately groomed Mr Blahnik himself, answering questions on everything from what constitutes style to the inspirations of his latest collection.
Each question was answered with equal reverie and with the kind of boyish enthusiasm that would surely melt the heart of even the most nonchalant fashionista.
But although Manolo's appearance caused a stir, it was the collection itself that prompted the most swooning. For in amongst the delicate scented candles and silk scarves designed with sumptuous Liberty prints were the shoes: Each art-piece displayed tantalisingly, combining exquisite form, yet also function - a little bit like Manolo himself.
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