Manolo’s Shoe Blog

Manolo says, here from the New York Post is the amusing review of the Evil One’s movie, Lagerfeld Confidential.

‘THE few people I know who knew me as a child say I was like a male Shirley Temple - rather unbearable and spoiled,” muses designer Karl Lagerfeld in “Lagerfeld Confidential,” the Rodolphe Marconi documentary that makes its American premiere at Film Forum on Wednesday.

The film is a compilation of behind-the-scenes footage from Chanel and Lagerfeld’s eponymous line, as well as no-holds-barred interviews with the designer and vignettes from Lagerfeld’s childhood. It offers viewers an unprecedented level of access to Lagerfeld’s private life.

In the documentary, his home - stashed to the rafters with books, magazines, iPods, Chrome Hearts jewelry and dozens of rails of black clothes - is on open display. So are the private moments, like Karl walking around in his bathrobe and Karl without his sunglasses.

Beware, the Devil’s Eyes!

Manolo says, ayyyy! Travolta and Efron, the Fakers Come to Town!

Manolo says, the Manolo’s internet friend Charlotte has reminded the Manolo that today is St. Crispin’s Day, the feast day for the twin saints Crispin and Crispian, two of the most important of the patron saints of the cobbler.

What many of the Manolo’s friends may not know is that few occupations have as many patron saints as that of the shoemakers. Indeed, the distinction of patron may be applied to several dozen holy figures of the past ( the partial list of which may be seen at this website), including such luminaries as Catherine of Alexandria, Mary Magdalene, Homobonus, and Gangolfo.

Also not well known, is that most of these tutelary saints began life as aristocrats who later humbled themselves in the service of God, producing through the honest labor of their hands beautiful shoes for the those who had none. This is why shoemaking has historically been called the “Noble or Gentle Craft“, because its patrons saints were usually nobility.

But none of this is news to those few who have read the Manolo’s Consolation of the Shoes, which describes in detail the period in the young Manolo’s life when he was ardently devoted to the cults of many of these noble saints.

And now, in secular celebration of this holy day, the Manolo gives you that most appropriate of poems, The Shoemakers, by John Greenleaf Whittier.

(more…)

Manolo says, remember these beautiful and unusual Prada Ombre shoes from last season, with the sfumato gradient effect?

It seems that Stuart Weitzman does…

In the coming months you will undoubtedly see more modestly priced shoes with this same look.

Manolo asked, whose shoes?

Manolo answers, it is the Katie Holmes!

Congratulations to the Cat, who has once again been the first to correctly identify whose shoes.

After looking at many, many pictures of the Katie Holmes, that Manolo has to say that he has rarely seen any person more ill at ease in front of the camera.

Manolo says, the words “Christian Louboutin Over-the-Knee Boots” shout SEXY, but here you see Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez demonstrating that there is the fine line between sexy and ridiculous. Mimi simply looks ready to do the Pretty Woman stroll on Hollywood Blvd.

As for the J-Lo, all the Manolo could think about was this…

Which is clearly not what Christian Louboutin had in mind.

Manolo asks, whose shoes?

Manolo says, few things make the Manolo as happy, or as proud, as when one of his bloggers is recognized for his or her substantial expertise. Such is the case with the very amusing and exceedingly knowledgeable Isidore Gallant, who has been quoted in the article in the Denver Post.

It’s OK, lads. We know most of you aren’t as giddy as the female fashionistas about the prospect of new aisles of clothing on racks and miles of shoes laid out on display stands. But you should pay attention.

The new place is Nordstrom, and its top-drawer reputation hinges on something that matters to fellas: service.

“Clothes shopping for men is seen as a chore,” says Izzy Gallant, the man behind manolomen.com, a popular blog devoted to men’s fashion.

Service, experts say, is what can make a guy’s shopping experience less burdensome.

[…]

Nordstrom’s attention to their customers, experts say, is more a matter of personal commitment, coupled with an in-depth knowledge of the clothing in the store, than a suite of extra services.

Gallant says it’s rare to run across employees who are not fluent in the details of their offerings.

“I’ve had some shocking experiences where I go into a big-name store and the people who work there have little understanding of men’s clothing,” Gallant says.

Frankly, the two quotes provided in the article, while useful, fail to fully exploit Izzy’s amazing wit and erudition.

Izzy knows as much about mens clothing, and has as much good taste, as anyone writing men’s fashion today. That this knowledge was not more fully exploited by the writer of this article is the shame.

Manolo says, Witness, Depardieu! The mightiest of God’s creations! See how he rears up on two trunk-like legs, exuding raw animal sexuality and the heady scent of rendered pork fat!

Who could possibly imitate this natural marvel?