Manolo Blahnik BBs

Stylist Annabel Tollman calls it the only shoe.  It regularly walks red carpets around the world.  It’s also known as an editor’s staple used in photoshoots.  This is the Manolo Blahnik BB pump. 

“I have always liked court shoes, especially with thin, high heels,” said Mr. Blahnik.  ”Suddenly, two years later it was the most successful shoe!  The beauty of the BB is that it can be worn at any time, anywhere, in any color and any material.  It is so versatile!”  Reintroduced in 2009, Mr. Blahnik designed this classic pump as the antithesis of everything else people were wearing at the time – over-designed, over-accessorized, heavy shoes.  He wanted something simple, sleek, elegant.

The BB was inspired by 1950s fashion, and was aptly named after the inimitable Brigitte Bardot.  “It reminds me of mid 20^th century elegance and women like Suzy Park and Jean Shrimpton”, Mr. Blahnik explains.

Manolo Blahnik and Bergdorf Goodman date back to the dawn of Mr Blahnik’s business in the United States: “Bergdorf Goodman is the jewel of New York!  It is one of the most important places for me to visit.  I love it!  It was so wonderful when I was able to sell my collection there.” And we hope to continue this friendship for many, many years to come.

Meet Manolo Blahnik this Thursday from 4-6pm.

Manolo Blahnik BBs

Photographed by Manolo Blahnik

Friday

So it’s raining. And it’s been raining since we woke. The urge to slip in my trusty paddock boots (the ones that trod their way through snowy NYFW) was considerably high.  But I cannot let Mr Blahnik down.

Suede just wouldn’t do…Not when the streets are beginning to resemble Lady Bird Lake.  And Pacha seemed a bit too aggressive for Day 1 (its pitch is scandalously high).  So I went for the silver glitter pumps and paired them with an oversized gray sweatshirt and army utility pants.  Because it’s important not to look like a bride on the first day of interactive exploration.

So do I feel ridiculous? Do I feel like a silly girl amid a sea of converse and practical flats? Not at all. It’s International Women’s Day!  Why not prove you can wear heels and geek out? Gamification and other tech-stuff just as important to me – not matter the shoes on my feet.

And you’d be surprised how many people are delighted by the plucky BB.  However, some have remarked that it’s impractical to wear heels during a conference that requires so much walking.  Child, this is a cinch compared to fashion week.  

There is one teeny problem…. the BBs are a smidge too big (I even will go so far as to recommend going a half-size smaller than usual).  Now I’m a pro with heels – I’ve subway commuted from Brooklyn to Fifth Avenue while wearing 6″ Charlotte Olympia wedges and I’ve test-driven a cast of curious styles for 5th/58th – but swimming in stilettos is an entirely new challenge. I do not recommend it.  The constant toe-clench is a challenge. There was a moment when one glittering BB liberated itself from my foot and zoomed across Guadalupe after being accidentally kicked by the brilliant and long-legged Kristen Joy Watts. Classic occupational hazard, right?

So now I’m off to the druggist. Serious shoe pads are in my near future. 

We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

In Austin? Don’t forget to follow our #SxBB tweets to get clues as to where the BBs will be traveling. Instagram them with #SxBB for a chance to win custom BBs! psst: @manoloblahnik is sharing clues, too!  

Saturday

Let me begin by saying I love these royal blue BBs. Adore to the nth degree.  If I were to purchase a pair, these are the BBs I would get. There’s something about the color combined with the simple silhouette that make these BBs powerful, unexpected. They go with everything – black, brown, white, gray… colorblocked with hot pink!

Perhaps it’s because these are samples but the suede BBs fit much better – no flying stilettos here!  And it’s been a breeze trotting around Austin – for 110mm, these heels are comfortable.  Today’s been one of those chase-around days – walking everywhere while discovering delightful things like a digital cardboard cut-out that answers your questions (imagine one starring Linda – amazing), as well as a few darling ladies who recognized our soles and instagrammed them for our #SxBB contest.   

It’s getting a bit warmer here, so Ali and I both embraced the semi-Spring weather with shorts and long-sleeves. Ali’s in an oxford with cut-offs (love cut-offs and a clean heel – so casual chic) and I’m in a pair of army shorts with a printed Proenza top, Isabel Marant blazer and jumble of necklaces including a Lulu Frost pendant.

This is the beauty of BB: no matter the look or destination, these pumps are a go. They’re so clean that they’re delightfully new – it’s a total refresh and I’m loving it.

Photo Credit: Rachel A

Sunday

Today was a day of miscalculation.  You know when you check the weather and look outside and think, “Oh, I’m in Texas. It’s March! Wrangler cut-offs are calling my name.”  And then you actually step outside and suddenly your pale Fashion City legs are distinct pale blue.  It was cold.  Like New York in March cold… but there I was in my cut-off shorts and white t-shirt like it was a sunny day in May.  Brrrr. It’s cold in here….

Nevertheless, I trotted along in my glittering BBs and bare legs. Because that’s what you do when you make a fashion misstep: you act as though nothing is wrong. However let me be clear: glitter BBs and cut-off jean shorts is a perfect combination.  There’s a certain tension between high and low that makes for a delightfully inexpected combination.  Like you know how Miuccia Prada has a theory about dressing from the waist down (hence her entirely playful skirts)?  This was a party from the ankles down. Disco for the toes. And it perfectly complemented the Wall Street Journal pool party later that afternoon.

Manolo Blahnik, BB Glitter Pump
Second Floor, 212 872 8940

Photo Credit: Claire Marines

Monday

My last day… and a busy day at that. Awoke this morning to brilliant blue skies and a nip in the air.  Considering yesterday’s wardrobe woes, I squeezed into my dotty Current/Elliot Stiletto Jeans (a fantastic fit when you’re 5’1.5″) and paired them with a chambray shirt and those lovely royal blues.  And let me tell you: I love colorblocking these kicks.  There is so much possibility with this singular hue.

Since it was brisk, I pulled out the only sweater I packed — ironically it sports dots the exact same size as my green jeans.  The effect was very buttoned-up, quirky-matchy (which was beyond my usual pace but fun nonetheless) that seemed fitting for a day spent previewing our documentary Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s (out May 3rd!) and speaking on our panel with DKNY’s Aliza Licht and Lucky’s John Jannuzzi.  Also, while queuing up Manolo’s spotify playlist, I caught an incredible panel starring astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, Reading Rainbow founder LeVar Burton, the SETI Institute’s Jill Tarter and Barbarian Group’s Benjamin Palmer.  You need to see what they’re doing. Totally inspired.  Post-panel visited my Neiman Marcus / Cusp girls at their StyleCaster event with Leandra Medine before introducing Aliza to her first Texas honkytonk.

It’s been so fun to see the BBs insta-action — every time someone tags a new photo we get so excited.  From the newly-wed husband who chased me around Austin (in effort to win a pair for his wife) to Michael Kors’ Farryn who instructed me to position the BB on a dangerous helicopter mechanism, it’s been such a thrill to see how each person interpreted their BB vision.  I cannot wait to see who the winner will be (it’s only fair that the Manolo Blahnik team judges this… I could be a bit biased, no?).

But I must admit: I cannot wait to return to my flats.  Perhaps I’ve become lazy or maybe my feet are out of shape, but I really don’t understand how the fashion flock wear heels for a full month.  I hardly could do it for four days!  Fullest respect for those who can bear it.  Back to New York tomorrow — we have a petite cocktail thing I must attend.  Wonder what shoes I’ll wear?

Image credit: @dkny