Camilla Morton

What a charming little book! Author Camilla Morton pairs the classic folktale of the elves and the shoemaker with the biography of Manolo Blahnik, one of the 20th century’s most fashionable shoemakers, to create a wholly unique story that showcases the magic of fabulous footwear. When I first started reading the story I found the dual format to be a bit confusing, as Morton switches storylines between Blahnik’s life and that of the shoemakers with no warning, but once we see what kind of shoes the elves are fashioning we know that the stories must be connected. In the climax of the story, when the shoemakers gift the elves with fabulously miniature outfits all is revealed: the elves have been tasked with helping the unfortunate until they learn the value of hard work, and the shoes that they have been making to assist the shoemakers are based on the childhood designs of Manolo Blahnik himself! With this revelation the shoemakers realize that it is time for them to retire and pass on their business to the new maestro in town - and we then see Manolo Blahnik’s fashion star rise, as all the people of the fashion world come to love his footwear. The book is, of course, illustrated by Blahnik himself, so we are treated to his signature whimsical shoe designs throughout. I am a bit less fond of his style being translated into regular illustrations (shoes are where his talents shine best), but his signature bright colours, light linework, and carefree aesthetic actually works quite well for this type of children’s story.… (altro)