The shoes of Manolo Blahnik have been called magical totems of success and femininity (The Guardian) and boast a cult following of devotees the world over. With their sleek elegance and distinctive fashion edge, Manolos are at once fascinating and timeless, their design a beautiful combination of chic, playfulness, and flair. This book explores the creativity and influences of this modern master through an alphabetical chronicle of the designer s loves and inspiration. Blahnik s alphabet gives insight into the art and craftsmanship of shoemaking and includes whimsical musings on his relationships with figures such as Anna Piaggi, Loulou de la Falaise, and Diana Vreeland; the inspiration he draws from works by Goya, Zurbaran, Picasso, Barbara Hepworth, and Zaha Hadid; and his admiration for fellow designers such as Azzedine Alaia, Balenciaga, and Yves Saint Laurent. These highly personal anecdotes drawn from conversations between Blahnik and the author and accompanied by original sketches and new photography offer the reader a rare opportunity to learn the vision behind the shoes as told by a fashion legend. The book which will accompany a traveling global exhibition is introduced by an illustrated essay, which describes the designer s illustrious forty-five-year career in the fashion industry.

Santiago Calatrava’s (* 1951) encounter with the sculpture collection at the Glyptothek in Munich thirty years ago prompted him to create an extensive series of sculptures with the title Die Aegineten (The Aeginetans). This volume focuses attention for the first time on the sculptures and paintings of the famous architect and shows how he was influenced by Antiquity. Die Aegineten – 14 large-format sculptures made of wrought iron on a pedestal of aged oak – appear as modern, almost abstract variations on the ancient warriors of the temple of Aphaea. They are presented in an exceptional dialogue with the permanent sculpture collection of the Glyptothek and are complemented by a selection of 30 drawings, watercolours, studies and sculptures of different themes and series which show Calatrava’s interest in the human body and nature, which influences his architectural style.