N THE WORLD OF FASHION, style and beyond, Manolo Blahnik needs no introduction. Mr Blahnik, a pioneer in elevating the creation of the shoe to an high art, is the quintessential master, and the subject of a wide-ranging and thought-provoking exhibition presented by Style.com (the online home of American Vogue and W magazine) at the Phillips de Pury & Luxemburg exhibition space in downtown New York.
   Manolo Blahnik, the Shoe: a Celebration of Design opened

From all accounts, Manolo Blahnik: the Shoe was the definitive story of a career and life that is (and continues to be) innovative and inspirational

September 10 (and ran through September 19, the conclusion of the spring 2004 fashion market week here in New York City); and from all accounts, was the definitive story of a career and life that is (and continues to be) innovative and inspirational.
   Mr Blahnik is said to be personally responsible for the creation of the tens of thousands of shoes that have beared his name over the last three decades. From conception to final product, this exhibition serves to do more than celebrate the shoe. It leads visitors through the touchstones of his various influences over the years. From the Visconti films to the influence of African sculptures to the importance of black and white as well as his collaboration with various designers in creating a definitive perception of their collections, viewers are drawn into the world and work of Mr Blahnik.
   Curated by Style.com’s Executive Fashion Director, Candy Pratts Price, the installation—designed by interior designer Jeffrey Bilhuber—was broken up into specific rooms: Film and Shoe, Dazzle, Walking through History, Africa, the Shoe as Fashion, Black and White. Not to be missed was the Assignment Room, where a number of designers were given the mission to re-create a design inspired by the first shoe he designed for their runway shows.

CONTINUED

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: The re-created Manolo Blahnik workspace at Phillips. ABOVE RIGHT, FROM TOP: From the Dazzle room at the Style.com installation. Walking through History. Africa. BELOW: From the Film and Shoe room. BOTTOM: More from the exhibition at Phillips.