This Manolo Blahnik Documentary Actually Looks Really Good

Manolo Blahnik never wanted a movie made about him. In fact, last year, he told WWD he was pretty firmly against it. “Oh no, no, no! I love movies desperately, but I have no pretentions or illusions of me being an object of the camera,” the Spanish fashion designer said. There was one exception though. He’d only comply if he was more of a background figure. “I preferred all the people talking about me—if they want to,” he told the outlet.

He’s getting what he asked for. The upcoming documentary and biopic about the famed designer is titled Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes For Lizards and mostly features fashion insiders and influencers recalling memories of their time together and his impact on the industry. Rihanna, Anna Wintour, Naomi Campbell, André Leon Talley, and Paloma Picasso are among those featured. 

But, as far as we can tell from the trailer, despite his request, Blahnik appears to make several appearances throughout the film. And good thing because, although he prefers to be left alone, he seems to be right at home in front of the camera. “It’s about my work, yes, and about who I am," he told WWD about the project. "It’s about personal things, although I don’t even know what you call personal anymore. It’s not a vanity project because it was not my idea and I’m a very private person. But you arrive at a certain age and then, well, everything is okay."

The film premieres in New York City on September 15 (just in time for NYFW). Watch the trailer, above, in which Wintour declares, "I can't remember the last time I wore anybody else's shoes. I mean, I don't even look at them."