However, the path to this apotheosis began much earlier – in the early 1970s, through his association with maverick British designer Ossie Clark. The son of wealthy parents, Blahnik grew up in the Canary Islands, then moved to London in the late '60s after a stint studying art in Paris. His parents had wanted him to be a diplomat, and he had studied politics and economics before changing tack.

Like many such legends, Blahnik's story contains one pivotal moment. Diana Vreeland, editor of US Vogue (and whose influence on fashion history has been far greater than any other fashion editor), hated his early attempts at couture and insisted he try his creative hand at shoe design instead. Blahnik obliged and opened a store in London's fashionable Chelsea district, but faltered at first. He started with men's shoes and quickly found that conventional restrictions hampered his creativity. At that moment, Blahnik might have disappeared for good, had Clark not invited him in 1971 to produce the shoes to accompany his next collection.