I never thought that I would sell to young people, but now girls who are 14 and 15 buy my shoes.
— Manolo Blahnik
I'm very painful to deal with when I create a shoe.
My whole life has been a huge mistake, but what a divine mistake - doing something that I adore.
I do and re-do things that I used to do in a flash, because I want to be more perfectionist about these things. Maybe it sounds pompous and pretentious, but that's the way I feel.
I put everything I think is sexy into my shoes.
I was possessed by London.
I hate to travel with stuff.
I do think one should have clean feet.
I like women with style to wear my shoes.
I'm mad for satin.
If I look back I feel frightened, not happy, because my life is a bit of a mystery to me.
Trends don't interest me.
I just don't get death at all. Yes, it's there. But I don't get it.
I think I am one of the smallest surviving brands.
I get more tired by travelling than anything.
Everything is global now. It's not London, it's not Spain, it's not Italy - everything is everywhere. So you have to be everywhere, I guess.
I am insecure. Everyone's insecure.
I've never been tempted to do these hideous furniture shoes.
I'm very self-critical.
I don't consider myself a fashion designer.
I'm OK: I don't need money.
Some people just use beautiful things to just shop or to have a tribal feeling - 'Oh, blah, blah, blah, I'm wearing Hermes; blah, blah, blah, I'm wearing Saint Laurent; blah-blah blah' - because it's like a need, a tribe, recognition: 'Ahh, my Rolex.' But I run away from anything which is too recognizable - it's my nature.
I don't know why my shoes are so popular - I am always surprised and mystified by it.
My mother has an incredible rigidity, which is very Catholic.
The greatest luxury is being free.
I hate celebrities.
There is nothing charming about a woman who cannot walk in her shoes.
In London I feel free; nobody bothers anyone and everyone is free to express themselves.
I'm like an old vampire, so it's important to talk to young people.
I hate these platforms that are all over the place today; they are all about grabbing attention. They are suburban! I never do a platform. Well, I did, in the 1970s, but that was a bad experience.
I am not a movie star or a football player, I just do my thing.
Most of the people nowadays send their things by internet. But I cannot work that way. I like to do it myself.
I always love China, especially the old China.
Papa died when he was 77.
The gimmicky thing I'm not very keen on.
Sometimes I hate a shoe in seconds.
The greatest shoemaker in England for many, many decades; he used to be the royal shoe-maker for the Queen Mother. This is where I learnt my trade.
I don't belong to anyone.
A lot of things trigger my inspiration. It can be the most banal things.
People walk differently in high heels. Your body sways to a different kind of tempo.
Maintenance is terribly important.
What is fashion? It's discipline. Discipline and a credo to do only the best, down to the smallest detail.
Paris is paramount for fashion, always was - always will be.
I couldn't care less about business.
I think of each new season as an evolution, not a change in style.
I eat a lot of chocolate.
If I was a woman, I would be dressed in the same thing for a month and just change my hat and gloves. Maybe my shoes too; yes, I see what you mean but, really, it's jewels that change an outfit.
I never wanted to be the most famous, the most beautiful, the most extravagant.
My mother is incredible. I mean, still is today.
Really, the '70s and '80s were a blur.
