Manolo Blahnik Has Thoughts About Those Stilettos Melania Wore To Houston

Jamie Feldman
Updated

When Melania Trump descended from the White House with President Donald Trump en route to Hurricane Harvey-stricken Houston, Texas in August, everyone had something to say about her choice of footwear.

Some felt her black Manolo Blahnik stilettos were inappropriate attire for visiting victims of a natural disaster. Others, like her director of communications Stephanie Grisham, felt that during a natural disaster, the inappropriate response was to focus on shoes.

The Manolo Blahniks in question. (Photo: Alex Wong via Getty Images)
The Manolo Blahniks in question. (Photo: Alex Wong via Getty Images)

But what does Blahnik, a longtime friend of the Trumps and one of the most iconic footwear designers of all time, have to say about the whole thing? It’s kind of complicated.

Blahnik talked to Harper’s Bazaar U.K. about the incident, saying he doesn’t think “she’s insensitive.”

“I think she’s working non-stop to make it work ― possibly she was just wearing the shoes she left New York in,” he said. “Yes, I think probably she could have worn Hunter boots but she was wearing what she was wearing. I’m not good at advising people on what to wear because they wear what they want to.”

Donald and Melania Trump at a launch party for a Manolo Blahnik exhibition in 2003.   (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images)
Donald and Melania Trump at a launch party for a Manolo Blahnik exhibition in 2003.   (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images)

It’s not necessarily a glowing endorsement, but it’s not a criticism of the first lady, who changed into sneakers and a FLOTUS hat upon arrival in Texas. Things get a little fuzzy after that, though. Blahnik told the mag, “They should just get rid of everybody and keep her,” but he doesn’t mean it the way you think.

“Aesthetically, I mean, I’m not talking about politics ― I don’t give a damn about that and I don’t know much about it,” he said. “But in terms of fashion and beauty – well, I love her, she’s a beauty and that’s all there is to it.”

We’re not sure what it means to get rid of someone “aesthetically,” but for what it’s worth, the first lady was spotted heading to Florida after Hurricane Irma hit ― wearing a pair of flats.

A different shoe for a different storm.  (Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images)
A different shoe for a different storm.  (Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM via Getty Images)

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Sophie Theallet

Sophie Theallet ignited&nbsp;the conversation about&nbsp;dressing Melania Trump&nbsp;when she<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sophie-theallet-melania-trump_us_582efd3ee4b099512f82437e?od6neub49ioei2j4i">&nbsp;wrote an open letter</a>&nbsp;in November 2016 refusing to do it&nbsp;-- and&nbsp;encouraging other designers to follow suit.&nbsp;&ldquo;As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom, and respect for all lifestyles, <a href="https://twitter.com/sophietheallet/status/799378444249399300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" data-beacon="{&quot;p&quot;:{&quot;lnid&quot;:&quot;I will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next first lady&quot;,&quot;mpid&quot;:8,&quot;plid&quot;:&quot;https://twitter.com/sophietheallet/status/799378444249399300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&quot;}}" data-beacon-parsed="true">I will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next first lady</a>," she wrote.

Tom Ford

Tom Ford was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tom-ford-melania-trump_us_58402a08e4b017f37fe2d6b0">refusing to dress Melania Trump</a> even before she became first lady. Ford said on&nbsp;"The View" in December 2016 that he'd previously declined to dress Trump&nbsp;because she&nbsp;is "not necessarily my&nbsp;image," adding his belief that&nbsp;the first lady, no matter who she is, should wear clothing the American people can relate to. President-elect Donald Trump responded by claiming&nbsp;Ford was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/01/18/donald-trump-tom-ford_n_14253600.html">never asked to dress his wife.</a> "I'm not a fan of Tom Ford," he said.

Christian Siriano

Although&nbsp;he originally said&nbsp;in December 2016 he would have to wait and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBm0FmlnRa8" target="_blank">"see how it goes" </a>before making a decision about dressing Melania Trump, Siriano told Time&nbsp;in April 2017 he doesn't think he would dress the first lady. "She is representing what&rsquo;a happening politically and what&rsquo;s happening politically right now is not really good for anyone,&rdquo; he said.

Zac Posen

Posen said in March 2017 that he doesn't plan on <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/zac-posen-doesnt-want-to-dress-the-trumps_us_58c6a9d6e4b0ed71826dfefd">dressing the first lady</a> any time soon. "I'm staying away from bringing my brand into politics," he said, citing "issues that are being questioned that are fundamentally upsetting" to him including LGBT and women's rights.

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs told WWD in November 2016 that he "has no interest whatsoever" in dressing the first lady, opting instead to put his "energy into helping out those who will be hurt by [Donald] Trump and his supporters."
Marc Jacobs told WWD in November 2016 that he "has no interest whatsoever" in dressing the first lady, opting instead to put his "energy into helping out those who will be hurt by [Donald] Trump and his supporters."

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.