Manolo Blahnik Illustrates ‘The Elves and the Shoemaker’
Illustration courtesy of Harper Collins
Fantasy footwear: A Manolo Blahnik illustrations from The Elves and the Shoemaker.
His shoes have always been the stuff that dreams are made of, but now, they have a starring role in an actual fairy tale.
A new version of the beloved children’s book The Elves and the Shoemaker has just been released by writer Camilla Morton, complete with illustrations by a real shoemaker: Manolo Blahnik.
"The book is a mix of biography and fairy story," Morton told Vogue U.K. "It is a blend of Manolo's life—from his childhood on the banana plantation to his store in Chelsea today—mixed with the tale of The Elves and the Shoemaker. Fashion designers are too magical for a straightforward biography, so what better than to mix with well-known 'Once Upon a Times'—and the finishing touch, asking the designers themselves to illustrate their story."
The illustrations show Blahnik’s signature exaggerated silhouette and colorful flairs, like sculpted, swirling red heels and green mistletoe stilettos.
"I haven't ever illustrated a book like this before, but it was very cathartic in a way to look back and draw images from my past,” Blahnik said. “I knew Camilla would create something marvelous. It was a very fun adventure."
Illustration courtesy of Harper Collins
A bevy of Blahnik-clad beauties strut down the pages of The Elves and the Shoemaker.
The book is available now on Amazon.com.
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