My London: Manolo Blahnik

The shoe designer buys his socks at Paul Smith, loves the courteous service at Wiltons and stretches his legs in Kensington Gardens
Czech News Agency/Press Association Images
Rachel Dove20 June 2019

Where do you stay in London?

I don’t need to stay anywhere as I am fortunate enough to have lived in Kensington for 35 years, but I do love Claridge’s. The people are charming and the tea is delightful.

Bus, taxi or Tube?

Taxi — I take so many of them.

Which shops do you rely on?

I adore Paul Smith for socks and tweed coats, and I’ve had my suits made at Anderson & Sheppard for the past 45 years. Green and Stone for all my art supplies. Daylesford has saved my life with its organic produce. And Pierre Marcolini for sweet treats — I shouldn’t but I can’t help it!

Paul Smith socks

If you could buy any building in London and live there, which would it be?

The Shard. I love the Italian architect Renzo Piano’s work, it’s so elegant and refined. I would like to live in an apartment on the top floor.

Where do you work out?

I adore walking through Kensington Gardens. It’s so English. It reminds me of my youth and when I first came to London in the early 1970s.

The Italian Gardens, Kensington Gardens, London
Alamy Stock Photo

What makes someone a Londoner?

When you know every nook and cranny of the city.

Favourite club?

Loulou’s. It’s such a beautiful location and the interiors are divine. I’ve had so much fun there, though not recently, of course.

Who do you call to have fun?

I pick up the phone to my friend [fashion writer and artist] Michael Roberts and we talk for hours.

Last play you saw?

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Apollo Theatre was marvellous and Sienna Miller was completely divine.

Sienna Miller in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF

What is the best meal you’ve had in the capital?

My favourite restaurant has always been Wiltons. Old courtesy and manners is what I love about London and it keeps Wiltons alive, plus the food is delicious.

What’s your London secret?

Chelsea Physic Garden. I grew up on a banana plantation in the Canary Islands and in the Physic Garden there’s a greenhouse full of plants from my homeland — I know every single name.

Most iconic Londoner?

The original dandy from the 1700s, Beau Brummell (above). And David Bailey, of course.

Who is your hero?

The ‘King of Chelsea’, interior designer and antiques dealer Christopher Gibbs. He was so elegant and had such a sense of volume and space.

Statue of George 'Beau' Brummell
Alamy Stock Photo

Have you ever had a run-in with a police officer?

Definitely not! I love the old constables, they are usually so nice and polite.

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?

Mayor, are you crazy?! No thank you — that job does not interest me. I will stick with shoes.

What are you up to at the moment?

The exhibition of my work at The Wallace Collection. The museum has been a point of reference for me since my early days in London for its refined selection of art. I’m also opening a store in Palais-Royal in Paris in July.

Manolo Blahnik exhibition at the Wallace Collection (Manolo Blahnik )
Manolo Blahnik

What do you collect?

I have thousands of books and films — perhaps I should start a warehouse.

Biggest extravagance?

Time. Because I don’t have time to do everything I want to do. If I had all the time in the world I would love to be a sculptor.

An Enquiring Mind: Manolo Blahnik at the Wallace Collection, until 1 September (wallacecollection.org)

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