Quotes from Manolo Blahnik

If I look back I feel frightened, not happy, because my life is a bit of a mystery to me.

The greatest luxury is being free.

I wish I was making shoes instead of reading or watching movies, which is what I do in my free time.

I love exaggerated, and I love eccentric, but you must be comfortable. Otherwise it is nonsense. There is nothing charming about a woman who cannot walk in her shoes.

My mother is incredible. I mean, still is today.

My mother has an incredible rigidity, which is very Catholic.

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 am insecure. Everyone's insecure.

My most treasured clothing item is first suit that I made - acid green. It was disgusting, but I love it. It's been mended a million times, but I still wear it.

I always love China, especially the old China.

I just don't get death at all. Yes, it's there. But I don't get it.

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 get more tired by travelling than anything.

Trends don't interest me.

What is fashion? It's discipline. Discipline and a credo to do only the best, down to the smallest detail.

I never thought that I would sell to young people, but now girls who are 14 and 15 buy my shoes.

I'm like an old vampire, so it's important to talk to young people.

People walk differently in high heels. Your body sways to a different kind of tempo.

A lot of things trigger my inspiration. It can be the most banal things.

When I was out of favor and people didn't want that type of boot, flats, or high heels with the elegant, dainty things, it gave me much more energy.

I forget about the diseases that I have. I don't want to know.

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.

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 whole life has been a huge mistake, but what a divine mistake - doing something that I adore.