Manolo Blahnik: The Art Of Shoes

 This weekend Canada celebrates Thanksgiving long weekend with family and friends remembering all of our blessings and being grateful over a traditional meal of turkey, vegetables and apple pie or pumpkin pie for dessert. It is a filling weekend full of laughter, good time and delicious food. This long weekend could also be full of art and fashion by visiting the current exhibition at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto to view the current spectacular exhibition of Manolo Blahnik: The Art Of Shoes. The exhibit shows Manolo Blahnik's inspiration in his craft of designing shoes. There are displays of his drawings of the shoes which look like paintings from a master down to the actual production of the shoes. Wearing his shoes is one of my favourite because the design is so creative and the craftsmanship is impeccable. The shoes are super light that wearing Manolos is like wearing nothing. Besides shoes, Manolo shared his inspiring advise on how to live our life. As Carrie Bradshaw in Sex In The City said "You can never have too many pairs of shoes." 

 

 

 

#1 Always Look Impeccable

#2 Always check Everything At Least Twice

 

 

 

#3 Remember To Have Fun

#4 Be Curious

 

 

 

#5 Keep Going! 

#6 Be True To Your Style

Bata Shoe Museum

May 6, 2018 to January 6, 2019

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Bata Shoe Museum At 20

 Last weekend, we had such a lovely, warm and sunny weather here in Toronto which perfectly coincided with the Bata Shoe Museum 20 years Anniversary. What a celebration they had with a street party right in front of the Museum at St George and Bloor Street and an open house celebration inside the Museum. It was my first time to visit the Museum which is quite a shame because when I was a student at the University of Toronto, I used to walk this route every day passing through the Museum which is also located in the University of Toronto campus. 

This is the only museum in the World dedicated to shoes. The museum was founded by Mrs. Sonja Bata, wife of Thomas Bata who was one of the scion of the Bata Shoe Company that started in Czechoslovakia but the family moved to Toronto, Canada during WWII. Mrs. Bata has devoted most of her life to shoes so it was just right that she opened the first shoe museum in the World. Luckily she opened it here in Toronto, which was formerly a gas station that she transformed to a world class museum. Local folks and Government officials from the Lt Governor to the Mayor of Toronto came to celebrate. At the end of the speeches from Mrs Bata and government dignitaries, we celebrated with their 20th Birthday cupcakes! May you have many more birthdays Bata Shoe Museum!

 

 

My own shoe selfie. There were spots like this in the Museum for your own shoe selfie.  

Shoes from Barbra Streisand, Marilyn Monroe, the Dalai Lama, Winston Churchill and the tennis stars, Bjorn Borg and Roger Federer.

Marilyn Monroe was in the house/Museum.

This was the red sequined shoes worn by Mrs Sonja Bata 20 years ago on the opening day of the Museum. It was similar to  Dorothy's ruby shoes in the Wizard of Oz.  Just like Dorothy, opening the Museum 20 years ago was a dream come true for Mrs. Bata. 

 

 Mrs Bata (in white T-shirt) with the Lt Governor General and Mayor of Toronto. 

 

Happy 20th Birthday cupcakes to celebrate the Bata Shoe Museum. 

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Roger Vivier at Holt Renfrew Canada

Roger Vivier sandals and Denim mini bag.

I am presenting here the Roger Vivier Spring/Summer 2012 Collection currently available at Holt Renfrew Canada. Roger Vivier's Creative Director, Bruno Frisoni visited Toronto a few weeks ago to unveil the Spring/Summer collection and  also opened Toronto's Bata Shoe Museum's latest Exhibition: Roger Vivier - Process to Perfection which runs from May 9, 2012 to April 7, 2013.  As you know, Ines De la Fressange is the muse of Roger Vivier.
 I hope you will enjoy this collection. They are all beautiful sandals, bags and their classic pumps designed in different styles and colours.  Oh my, it is difficult to choose. But for me, I love the sandals above in nude colour with the classic Roger Vivier buckle, one of the classic pumps in any colour and the Royal Blue shoulder bag below. How about you? Which one will you choose?  Holt Renfrew Canada has a 60% off Sale right now. Hurry, as these products sell out fast. If you will visit Toronto, don't miss our Bata Shoe Museum to view the Roger Vivier Exhibit and also to have fun learning about the history of shoes and their infamous owners.

Crystal encrusted buckles. So elegant and classy!

Love the yellow sandals and the Mini Bag.

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