"Shoes are the quickest way for women to achieve instant metamorphosis," said Manolo Blahnik, the illustrious shoe designer and founder of his namesake label. Synonymous with timeless style and exceptional craftsmanship, Manolo Blahnik heels have not only become a style staple for the fashion-forward woman, but also treasured heirlooms and a shorthand for effortless elegance.

In the 54 years since the label’s inception, heels have been lowered, then raised, streamlined, widened, and repeatedly transformed in a multitude of ways. And while trends come and go, style is eternal—an ethos that Blahnik evocatively conveyed through his creations from the very beginning. It all started when a young Blahnik, who initially aspired to design theatre sets, had a serendipitous encounter with then editor-in-chief of American Vogue Diana Vreeland. After seeing his fantastical sketches for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Vreeland advised him to design shoes and accessories with the belief that he had innate talent for the craft. Motivated by her words, Blahnik changed his mind and committed himself to learn the art of shoemaking from skilled artisans in London.

The designer opened his inaugural store along Old Church Street in London that same year. More than just a physical space to showcase his earliest creations, the store would emerge as one of the epicentres of London’s eclectic social scene where creative visionaries like Anna Wintour and Bianca Jagger gathered. At a time where chunky platforms were the mainstream, Blahnik was credited for reviving the sleek stiletto heel in the ‘70s—channelling a timeless sense of femininity into these vertiginous silhouettes. As his reputation grew, Blahnik would go on to create shoes for visionary fashion designers like Ossie Clark, John Galliano and Oscar de la Renta.

In the decades to follow, Manolo Blahnik shoes would affectionately be referred to simply as “Manolos” by devoted fans and collectors. Across the realms of fashion, cinema and pop culture, the impact of “Manolos” were felt far and wide, worn and adored by both real-life stars and on-screen icons.

Blahnik has since continuously reinvented his creations by experimenting with new shapes and fabrications. Equipped with an encyclopaedic knowledge of culture, the Spanish designer often references movements across art and history—for instance, incorporating delicately placed cut-outs and metallic tassels inspired by the Renaissance to using exaggerated crystal buttons that were a nod to the disco glamour of ’70s New York.

But for its latest capsule collection, Manolo Blahnik goes back to his most timeless creations. The
Manolo’s Silhouettes edit features six signature styles that look just as chic and faultless today as they did decades ago.

There’s the Carolyne, a pointed-toe slingback that was initially created for designer and artist Carolyne Roehm and later popularised by socialite Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Then there’s the iconic Maysale mule with its signature square buckle, prized for its understated elegance and petite heel. Meanwhile, the Susa is a crisscrossing sandal with a clean silhouette informed by ‘90s minimalism. It was initially created for fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi’s show in 1991.

As for the dressier pieces, opt for the Mary Janes which convey quiet sensuality with its pointed toe, high heel and glossy black patent with grosgrain trim. There’s also the Chaos sandal, a red-carpet favourite that comes with an open toe and a sleek ankle strap. And if we have to save the most classic for the last, it’ll be none other than the BB Pump. Inspired by and named after ’50s film legend Brigitte Bardot, it is modelled after a court shoe and instantly recognisable by its streamlined facade and razor-sharp stiletto heel.