Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.

Dear Manolo,

I will be in my sister-in-law’s September wedding party, wearing a beautiful sable brown bridesmaid’s dress, just below the knee in length. I need your expertise in finding a pair of classic (AND comfortable) high heel shoes in a gold or sable color.

Ksusha

Manolo says, the Manolo adores the September weddings, mostly because he adores the September. Here in the heat of July, when every foot seems to have on it the plastic flip-flop or the loathsome Croc, the Manolo longs for September and its simple shoe pleasures.

Yes, September may still be hot, but the promise of cooler weather is at hand, and the glorious color of October and the familial pleasures of November and December are mere weeks away.

More than June and May, September is the month of new beginnings, when we put behind us the frivolity of summer youthfulness and take the next step toward growing up.

And so, what better time than September to join with the other person in the bonds of matrimony? What better time to take the step away from solipsistic youth into the satisfying responsibilities of adulthood?

The Manolo thinks that bronze would be better than gold for this Septembery sable dress. Here is the Napoli by Lumiani, the perfect shoe for your needs.

Manolo says, here is the extravagant pair of the boots from the Christian Lacroix. These are dramatic evening boots which would look stunning with the black swing coat and your hair done up in the wild-girl fashion.

“But Manolo,” you say, “It is summer. I am roasting here. Why would I even think of wearing boots and the coat?”

Because, these beautiful boots are on the sale, 50% off of their regular price, and soon the summer will end and you will be saying, “where are my new boots? Oh, right, I did not buy them when they were on sale.”

Manolo says, two months ago, the Manolo wrote about being in the top 100 most subscribed blogs on the internets. And now, as of this morning, the Manolo has moved into the five digits, with over 10,000 subscribers!

Truly, it is the great wonder that so many peoples enjoy reading the ridiculous musings of the humble shoe blogger. And thus each morning the Manolo awakes ever thankful for the kindness and support of his many internet friends.

Manolo says, here are the few links which may perhaps amuse…

San Francisco’s Polish Grandmas Love Tory Burch

Someday this will be a big ol’ dictionary-usin’, dress-wearin’ world, and I can retire, my work done.

The simple version is in 2003 a friend of mine introduced me to the concept of blogging. Straight away I said “I want to blog about fashion, can I?”

Manolo says, here is the forthcoming book the Manolo can enthusiastically recommend, the Shoe-Fleur: A Footwear Fantasy by Michel Tcherevkoff. Here is the excerpt from the article about the book at the Apple.com site.

Although firmly rooted in make-believe, Tcherevkoff’s project was more than just a game. He applied the same exacting standards to “Shoe-Fleur” as he does to all his work, even electing to craft each invented shoe from a single variety of flower or plant.

“I decided early on that I wouldn’t mix different types,” he says. “Every shoe and handbag [most of the shoes in the book have matching purses] would be made from one particular plant or flower.” Tcherevkoff shot blossoms and stems, twisting and knotting and weaving and tying them to bring nature’s flora to heel as meticulously as a third-generation Italian cobbler.

And he listened. “Each plant spoke to me in a different voice. One was very light and delicate,” he says, “so the strap had to be thin. Another one said, ‘I am big and strong — I could walk for miles.’ From that I designed a more rugged shoe.”

“Shoe-Fleur” is organized into four collections, as is traditional for fashion shows: fall, spring, resort and bridal. “I used plants that were in season,” notes Tcherevkoff. “Now,” he says, “every time I look at a plant, I see a shoe.”

And the pictures are beautiful, are they not? The Manolo has already
pre-ordered his copy.

Manolo says, to his many dear internet friends, Happy Fourth of July!!!

Manolo shouts, Olé!

Is the Manolo the only person in the fashion press to recognize that Galliano’s Spanish theme for the 60th anniversary of the House of Dior is partly the homage to Manolete, the greatest torero who ever lived, and whose sensational death in the bull ring occurred in August of 1947, at exactly the moment Christain Dior was beginning his business?

It is not as if Manolete is competely unknown, they are making the movie about his life, with Adrian Brody in the title role.

It is perhaps the less well known fact that the Manolo, himself, was named after Manolete.

Manolo says, what’s this? The twisted evil mastermind has hijacked the blog of the prominent person? Where has the Manolo seen this before?

Manolo says, here are the few links which may perhaps amuse…

The beefcake & shoes were more easily available than the martinis

Are bloggers becoming the new celebs?

The Olympics have their opening ceremony, fashion has couture.

Manolo says, here for your early Tuesday morning viewing pleasure is the most handsome pair of the shoes from the Isabella Fiore.

These are something the fiery doña might wear with the flouncy skirt and the lacy mantilla, as she impatiently taps her feet waiting for her El Cordobés to arrive.

Manolo says, Perfect for the She-Cousteau.

P.S. More High Tide Heels here!

P.P.S. From the Manolo’s devoted shoe-loving friend the Wayne, who provides no provenance for this picture.

Manolo says, the Manolo’s call for bloggers to help with his soon-to-be launched new blog, Manolo for the Big Girl, has resulted in over two dozen of the applications!

All of them are excellent. Indeed the Manolo could pick any two of them at random and they would produce the wonderfully entertaining blog.

But, the Manolo is committed to selecting the two he believes are the best fit for the Manolo Weltanschauung, and so now he is reading, reading, reading the blog posts and articles which these marvelous writers have submitted. This will be the very difficult decision.