Manolo says, it is Tuesday, time to see what the Manolo is…

Reading…

Watching…

Listening To…

For the past couple of the weeks, the Manolo has meaning to recommend to you The Clothes on Their Backs, the latest novel from the Manolo’s good friend Linda Grant.

The reason the Manolo recommends this book to you is not just because Linda Grant is the friend, but because The Clothes on the Backs is among the best things the Manolo has read in many years.

There are many reasons the Manolo loves this book, one of the most important of which is that our friend Linda does such the masterful job of demonstrating one of the Manolo’s core beliefs: that the clothes we choose to wear say volumes about us, not just about that which we choose to reveal, but also that which we attempt to conceal.

Linda Grant’s memorable characters wear memorable clothes that aptly reflect their status, their personalities, their era, and their internal condition. And so, if you love clothes and you love shoes, and are prepared to think about them in complex and meaningful ways, you will find this book very satisfying.

But, beyond this narrative facility with fashion, the Manolo especially loves the Clothes on their Backs because there is real life in this book–messy, complex, disappointing, sometimes difficult, sometimes glorious life–our preconceptions are overthrown, moral clarity is difficult to come by, and, just as in real life, things rarely go as we would have wished. In the end, however, the message comes through, you cannot shirk life, you can only live it.

So, you must buy The Clothes on Their Backs and read about Uncle Sandor and Vivien, and their clothes, and their lives, for in all ways this novel has to it the ring of authentic truth.

Manolo says, this week the lovely Spirit Fingers challenges us to identify the cinematic proms!

Manolo says, ayyyyyy! The destruction of the Spanish cultural patrimony is now complete.

Manolo says, it is Monday, and you know what that means, that you are back at the office, slaving away for the Man. Sometimes, your job is fulfilling and meaningful, but other times, such as today, you are filled with ennui.

What is needed in such case is the jolt of fantasy, and so the Manolo would recommend leaning back in your reproduction Aeron chair, closing your eyes, and imagining for 60 seconds who you would seduce Mata Hari-style while wearing these exotic and super sexy sandals from Rene Caovilla.

And begin…..

Manolo says, here is the best of the week from the Manolosphere.

Glinda…

There was nothing else but this infant and their momentary bond. Which is touchingly sweet, and yet is at the same time a wee bit creepy.

Spirit Fingers…

Did nobody tell these two that they are supposed to be promoting the launch of another money-spinning fragrance?

Plumcake…

I feel that many of my shoes really need a yacht to truly be shown to their best…

Raincoaster…

Loyal TeenyManolites know that we’ve long kept a beady eye on the jaded escapades of debauched homunculus known as Elmo. The back alleys of Hollywood swarm with the tainted, broken bodies of those he has used and tossed aside.

Diable…

Sí, efectivamente, si usted pensaba que ese pequeño hombrecillo al frente de la banda Radiohead era un alienígena en la tierra, pues estaba muy equivocado.

Isidore Gallant…

Izzy wonders whether Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is a card-carrying member of NOMSBH.

Mr. Henry…

For longer than he cares to say, he has been promising to buy Mrs. Henry a proper set of knives, forks, and spoons in everyday stainless steel, a set that balances nicely in the hand, lies beautifully on the table, and washes easily in the dishwasher.

Francesca…

Francesca cannot repeat often enough: Make friends with a seamstress!

Twistie…

Claude was flying his B-29 on a bombing raid over Yowata, Japan in August 1944 when the engine of the plane caught fire. He and his crew bailed out with their nylon parachutes. During the night while they waited rescue, Claude used his trusty parachute as a blanket and a pillow. After he and his men were rescued, he kept the parachute. When he proposed to Ruth in 1947, he handed her the parachute and suggested she make her wedding gown out of it. She did.

Never teh Bride…

Creating your own moon garden is simply a matter of populating a patch of earth with flora that fulfills its true potential when the sun goes down.

Diablesse…

La mayoría de los amantes de la moda y empedernidos espectadores de Sex and the City lo esperaban con ansias locas (si no pregúntenle a Diable) y por fin el anhelo encuentra un poco de papel couché y corona a Sarah Jessica Parker como portada de VOGUE USA.

Patri…

Me voy a repetir una vez más en Manolo Moda: ¡ADORAMOS los zapatos! pero no solo los destinados a cubrir el pie femenino, sino a cubrir el masculino también y que mejor manera que buscar por toda la red la selección de las romanas pero en versión masculina.

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

Dear Manolo,

I’m completely taken with the latest hot trend, gladiator sandals. Could you recommend a pair for me?

Marilyn

Manolo says, like most peoples, when the Manolo hears the word “gladiator” he thinks immediately of the paradoxically thuggish, yet sensitive, Australian he-man Russell Crowe, all shouting and broody, as he hacks his manly-man way across the movie screen, clad only in the mini-skirt, shiny breastplate, and fancy leather mandals.

Indeed, not since Victor Mature and Kirk Douglas were the big movie stars in the 1950s, have raging testosterone and man sandals been so thoroughly mixed in the mind of the public.

And so it is surprising that now, in 2008, the girliest of girls are eagerly wearing these most muy macho of ancient feetwear.

While the Manolo generally approves of the trend, he must caution that not everyone is suited to the style. They work best for young women of particularly feminine shape and demeanor. Others of different configuration may well invite unfavorable comparisons to Cato the Elder.

Of course, if you are going to follow the trend then the best way to do so is with these costly, golden Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, which have been spotted most recently on Gwyneth Paltrow, and if that is not the definition of trendy feetwear..

Manolo says, this week the Manolo has been thinking much about the gladiator sandal trend, to the point that tomorrow his column will be dedicated to the topic. However, today he wishes to show you these, the Gladio from Stuart Weitzman, which are undoubtedly the most delicate gladiator sandals ever made.

Manolo asked, whose shoes?

Manolo answers, it is the beautiful Charlize Theron.

Congratulations to the Manolo’s good friend Mr. Henry, who was the very first to recognize the celebrity and her shoes.

Manolo says, these shoes, the aptly named Felicia from the Kate Spade, have made the Manolo happy with their cheerful colors and shiny crystal adornments. What greater praise can be given than this? For as St. Augustine has said, “Felicity, is certainly more valuable than the kingdom.”

Manolo asks, whose shoes?

Manolo shouts, The Eurovision Song Disaster has returned!

Manolo says, this week, Spirit Fingers asks us to identify giant rocks on lovely hands.