The pair of ‘Poirete’ mules is an excellent example of the designer’s designs from the end of the 1990s when the ‘mule’ style of shoe (a backless shoe which slips onto the front of the foot) was very popular. Blahnik was at this time producing very feminine shoes which referenced historical styles, in particular those of the 18th century. The name of this shoe is that of the early 20th-century designer Paul Poiret who was known for his use of innovative textiles, print and embroidery, often drawing inspiration from folk dress, which he interpreted in a luxurious fashion. Here the seemingly simple grey felt is embellished with silk embroidery and set against opulent chinchilla fur. Manolo Blahnik (1942), CBE, is globally renowned as one of the leading shoe designers in the contemporary fashion world. The design construction and materials of Blahnik’s shoes are always of the highest quality. He begins each design with a sketch, then hand-carves the lasts, selects the materials, and personally oversees the production of each style.