This past Saturday, September 13th, the elegant Neiman Marcus at the White Plains Mall in Westchester, NY hosted one very extraordinary guest. Manolo Blahnik himself made a special appearance from 1 to 3 in order to sign shoes from his collection, and local Blahnik-aholics made sure not to miss it. Neiman’s fabulous and extensive collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes offered plenty of options to choose from; enough that I witnessed more than a few women frantically trying to decide which pair was THE ONE that would be going home with them and would be blessed with their designer’s signature.

Neiman certainly knew how to throw a shoe party, too. “Shoe valets”, a.k.a. extremely handsome men with shoes from Blahnik’s Fall collection on silver platters (see below), strolled through the crowds. Others passed out flutes of champagne or sparkling water, and there were even some delicious pastries to be had.

As soon as Manolo arrived, the buzz that went through the crowd was palpable and the line to meet him immediately got longer. Luckily, I wasn’t waiting for very long before it was time to be escorted by one of the ‘shoe valets’ up to where he was standing and signing. Although somewhat taller than I had imagined, he was all smiles and was jovially endorsing soles with his signature. I think I broke the rules a bit by bringing two copies of his sketches of the famous blue Sex and the City shoes so graciously sent with my invite by Stephanie Ramos of Neiman Marcus, but it was for a good cause. (Well, of course I have to keep the one he so graciously addressed to me, but there are plans in the workings to auction the second with just Manolo’s signature off for charity sometime soon…)

By the time I had gotten my 'shoes' signed, the crowd had thickened and space to sit down and try on a pair of shoes was scarce if not nonexistent. Curious onlookers and patient (ie. wondering "why am I not at Best Buy watching the Mets' game") husbands hovered at the periphery, but after experiencing Christian Louboutin at Saks in NYC, believe me, the scene that afternoon was not even approaching chaotic. It did, however, seem to be a complete and absolute success. Who's next, Neiman?!

See pictures from the event below. Plus, I must give a special thanks to the wonderful women of Neiman Marcus, Anna, Stephanie, and Celine!