Manolo Blahnik's Guide to Classic Movies: Six Must-See Films
Fashion and cinema have always been inseparable.
Famous designers find ideas for their new collections in films and take inspiration from actors' performances and iconic scenes. Manolo Blahnik, a shoe designer and creator of Carrie Bradshaw's favorite shoes, is no exception. Among his favorite films are six pictures of different genres from the last century.
Rebel Without a Cause, 1955
The seemingly typical movie about teenagers reveals many serious problems. Protagonist Jim Stark (James Dean) moves to a new town to have a clean slate. But falling in love with local girl Judy (Natalie Wood), the girlfriend of one of the town's tough guys, triggers a series of problems that Jim has to tackle.
"What a marvelous film," Blahnik says. "James Dean is an icon and that jacket — I even had the same red leather biker!"
The Leopard, 1963
Luchino Visconti's film is set in a beautiful Sicilian landscape in the 1860s, at the time of the Unification of Italy. Prince Fabrizio di Salina (Burt Lancaster), nicknamed the Leopard, remains true to his ancient noble name and ancestors and does not accept the new world. Soon, however, the time of the aristocracy passes and the leopards and lions are replaced by shrewd bourgeois jackals, and one of them is the Prince's young nephew Tancredi (Alain Delon). Now, Fabrizio finds himself faced with a difficult choice.
Blahnik says he sees Luchino Visconti as the epitome of European visual culture. He explains: "All his films are the vision of an artist captivated by beauty and sublimated in all forms. The Leopard is so beautifully done."
And God Created Woman, 1956
Juliette (Brigitte Bardot) is a young and sexually liberated girl who has a rather bad reputation because of her attractive appearance. She has many admirers, but Juliette's heart belongs to one man. When the girl's guardians threaten to send her back to the orphanage, her suitor Eric gets the cynical idea of marrying Juliette off to a quiet guy who is secretly in love with her.
Blahnik reveals that Brigitte Bardot has always been an inspiration to him because of her beauty and acting talent. "She's so elegant, feminine and beautiful,” the designer says.
All About Eve, 1950
Broadway's biggest star, Margo Channing (Bette Davis), hires Eva Harrington as her personal assistant. Soon, it turns out that the simple, hard-working Eva has a cunning plan: she wants to steal everything from Margo Channing — her fame, her theater career, friends, and even her lover. However, things don't go according to the girl's plan.
"Bette Davis is just spectacular," Manolo comments.
Possessed, 1947
Nurse Louise Howell (Joan Crawford) is admitted to a mental hospital. The girl is in a very poor condition and keeps repeating a man's name: David. When she regains consciousness, Louise tells the dramatic story of her relationship with David, her ex-lover, which brought the girl to the psychiatric ward.
Double Indemnity, 1944
A successful insurer, Walter Neff, visits the home of Mr Dietrichson to sign another contract and meets Phyllis (Barbara Stanwyck), his client's charming wife. The woman seduces Walter, tells him about her husband's cruelty, and suggests they could get rid of him together. But before they do that, the insurance man must convince Dietrichson to buy double indemnity so that, upon his death, Phyllis and Walter will be able to use the money and live comfortably.
Manolo Blahnik admits he loves all Barbara Stanwyck films. "She gave a performance that ended all performances in Double Indemnity… also such beautiful photography," the designer added.