The story of the Manolo Blahnik’s BB pump

BB by Manolo Blahnik

Taller and more slender than ever, BB pumps punch the London streets with their sharp heels for many fashion weeks already. Real weapons of seduction to wear every day in a different color.

“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!”

Manolo Blahnik was destined to work as a stage designer. In 1971, following the advice of Diana Vreeland who after seeing his sketches told him “Why not work on those funny little things you put at the feet of your characters?” The young English embarked on the creation of shoes. Since then, Marianne Faithfull, Bianca Jagger and Kate Moss collect his creations, including the newer model BB. A model that the British designer considers one of its most successful.

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.