Manolo Blahnik: The Fairytale

Manolo Blahnik's life story has become the subject of a new fairytale.

The legendary shoe designer will see the tale of his time in the industry turned into a "mix of biography and fairy story" by fashion writer Camilla Morton, with Blahnik illustrating the tome himself.

Camilla told Vogue.co.uk: "The book is a mix of biography and fairy story. It is a blend of Manolo's life - from his childhood on the banana plantation to his store in Chelsea today - mixed with the tale of 'The Elves and the Shoemaker'.

"Fashion designers are too magical for a straightforward biography, so what better than to mix with well-known 'Once Upon a Times' - and the finishing touch, asking the designers themselves to illustrate their story."

The Spanish-born shoe creator admitted he found the process of illustrating the book a "cathartic" experience.

He added: "I would do it whenever I had a moment, on a train, on my travels, it was a bit of a challenge. I haven't ever illustrated a book like this before, but it was very cathartic in a way to look back and draw images from my past.

"I knew Camilla would create something wonderful. It was a very fun adventure."

Manolo follows in the footsteps of Christian Lacroix, who illustrated 'Sleeping Beauty' - his own biography written by Camilla - earlier this year.