Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards

Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards is a fascinating and captivating Amazon Addon documentary from 2017. This engaging film provides an intense and unique look into the life and career of the fashion industry's most iconic footwear designer, Manolo Blahnik.

Presented in a charming and creatively stylistic manner, the documentary focuses on the life of Manolo Blahnik from a young boy in the Canaries with a unique hobby of making shoes for lizards, to the globally renowned shoe designer brushing shoulders with the crème de la crème of the fashion industry. Despite his meek nature, this biographical documentary unveils how Manolo Blahnik emerged as a titan in the realm of high fashion and luxury footwear, where his intricate and fabulous designs hold an unrivaled position.

The viewers are given a thorough breakdown of Manolo's journey, beginning with his simple, tranquil, and somewhat isolated upbringing in the Canary Islands. The film labels this as an early indication of Manolo's boundless creativity, nurtured by the lush, organic environment around him, coupled with the individualism and solitude offered by his unique upbringing. As a boy, he had a peculiar habit of crafting shoes for lizards using foil, a small yet significant anecdote that forecasts his future in footwear design.

As the journey moves forward, the film depicts the period in Manolo Blahnik's life when he sets foot in the world of fashion, aided by a fortunate meeting with Diana Vreeland, an experienced icon in the fashion industry. The encouragement and motivation from Vreeland pour fuel onto the already burning fire of Blahnik's creative spirit, leading him to start a journey destined for greatness.

Details of Blahnik's progression in the industry, his methodologies, inspirations, work ethics, and primarily, the art of shoe-making, are carefully unfolded throughout the film. This gives the enthusiasts a sneak peek into the genius behind the brand that is avant-garde in every sense – a perfect blend of creativity, elegance, and audacity put forth by a simple, unassuming man with a prodigious talent for shoemaking.

Among the high points of this documentary are interviews with fashion industry elites including Anna Wintour, Rihanna, Naomi Campbell, Iman, and more. Friends, collaborators, and clients offer insight, not just into Manolo's contribution to fashion and his unique artistic approach, but also into the compelling personality beneath those handmade, luxurious creations.

Manolo’s charisma, his personal engagement in every design, his perfection in the handcrafting, his captivating storytelling, and his thirst for knowledge about the world have awarded him a unique place in the fashion industry. All these aspects are beautifully ingrained in this 89-minute documentary, reaffirming his position as a powerhouse embellishing the feet of the world's most iconic and powerful women.

Director Michael Roberts's ability to delicately reflect Manolo Blahnik's enchanting personality and his calamitous entry into the world of high fashion makes for an engaging watch. The film immerses viewers, not just in the fashion realm, but in the life of a man whose unassuming nature contrasts with his energetic, wild designs. The director doesn’t shy away from portraying the artist's doubts, fears, and weaknesses. Instead, he delves deep into Manolo’s explorations, besots, and even his failures.

As the documentary unfolds, the viewers realize that it is also a confession of a fiercely private person who has used his designs, his ads, his boutiques, essentially his work, to communicate. It is a testimony of a genius who speaks through his art and his world is every bit as beautiful, eccentric, and extraordinary as his creations.

In conclusion, Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards is a compelling documentary that offers audiences a personal and intimate journey into the heart of a fashion legend, narrating the making of a brand which is synonymous with luxury and elegance. This film is a must-watch for fashion enthusiasts, admirers of unique creativity, and those who are always on the lookout for stories that are truly inspirational.