The greatest luxury is being free.
Manolo Blahnik
I think of each new season as an evolution, not a change in style.
You put high heels on and you change.
Men tell me that I've saved their marriages. It costs them a fortune in shoes, but it's cheaper than a divorce. So I'm still useful, you see.
Maintenance is terribly important.
My whole life has been a huge mistake, but what a divine mistake - doing something that I adore.
A lot of things trigger my inspiration. It can be the most banal things.
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'm very self-critical.
I've never been tempted to do these hideous furniture shoes.
Sometimes I hate a shoe in seconds.
I am not a movie star or a football player, I just do my thing.
I eat a lot of chocolate.
I always love China, especially the old China.
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'm very painful to deal with when I create a shoe.
I think I am one of the smallest surviving brands.
I never wanted to be the most famous, the most beautiful, the most extravagant.
I'm mad for satin.
My shoes are special shoes for discerning feet.
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 get more tired by travelling than anything.
The gimmicky thing I'm not very keen on.
Papa died when he was 77.
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.
About half my designs are controlled fantasy, 15 percent are total madness and the rest are bread-and-butter designs.
I am insecure. Everyone's insecure.
Really, the '70s and '80s were a blur.
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.
My mother is incredible. I mean, still is today.
Most of the people nowadays send their things by internet. But I cannot work that way. I like to do it myself.
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 just don't get death at all. Yes, it's there. But I don't get it.
I'm like an old vampire, so it's important to talk to young people.
Trends don't interest me.
In London I feel free; nobody bothers anyone and everyone is free to express themselves.
If I look back I feel frightened, not happy, because my life is a bit of a mystery to me.
I couldn't care less about business.
There is nothing charming about a woman who cannot walk in her shoes.
Paris is paramount for fashion, always was - always will be.
I hate celebrities.
I like women with style to wear my shoes.
What is fashion? It's discipline. Discipline and a credo to do only the best, down to the smallest detail.
I do think one should have clean feet.
My mother has an incredible rigidity, which is very Catholic.
I hate to travel with stuff.
People walk differently in high heels. Your body sways to a different kind of tempo.
I don't know why my shoes are so popular - I am always surprised and mystified by it.
I was possessed by London.
I put everything I think is sexy into my shoes.
