Manolo Blahnik in Prague

No one needs an introduction to Manolo Blahnik and his work of art shoes.

Manolo Blahnik became a huge fashion icon also thanks to Sex in the City. Remember Carrie's something blue wedding heels?

These Hangisi in blue.

When I learned a collection of his stunning shoes were displayed in Prague's Museum Kampa, I knew I had to go.

Out of 30,000 models in Blahnik's private collection, he chose 212 pairs and 80 of his drawings to share with the world. They represent his inspiration by art, architecture, architecture, cinematography and history and countries such as Spain or Russia.

The exhibition includes his works form the 70's until the present and it is fascinating to see how his shoes evolved over time.

The shoes that started his career were designed for the 70's designer Ossie Clark. His first pair were with a round toe heel and a rubber sole, the second par was one of his favorites ever called Ivy, below, with green heel and leaves that wrapped around the ankle with cherries, rather quite beautiful!

Here are some of the other beauties:

Russian influence is certainly apparent.

Did you know?

• Manolo was born in the Canary Islands and raised on a banana plantation by his Spanish mother and Czech father.
• He lived in Geneva with his affluent parents, who wanted him to be a diplomat. Manolo studied law, art history, literature and languages in Geneva and Paris before opening his first boutique in 1973 in London.
• Apart from being the reason behind Carrie Bradshaw's obsession with his stilettos, he was also asked to create shoes for the film of Sofia Coppola, Marie Antoinette.
• The shoe maestro has never sold his business to a big corporation and he runs it with his sister and niece and prefers to keep it that way. Free and independent. And to this day, Blahnik is the sole designer to every created under the label.
• It takes 16 craftsmen throughout the production process and three whole weeks to finish a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes! And all of them are 100% handmade in Italy.

His shoes are elegant, modern and versatile, they don't only go with cocktail dresses, you can easily dress the glitter down with denim and slouchy trousers to show attitude. Meeting Mr. Big however, is not guaranteed.

If you are a shoe lover and live in Prague, planning a trip there or just passing by, definitely visit Museum Kampa, the exhibition runs until 11th November.

Otherwise, after a successful public display in Milan, St. Petersburg and now Prague, the exhibition will move to Madrid and Toronto next.