Shoes Made For Walking And Gawking

When you think of the name Manolo Blahnik you may simply think of chic shoes. But to some, they're also works of art.

Wednesday in New York City, Style.com opens an exhibit that profiles the shoemaker's innovation, inspiration and craftsmanship.

CBS News Correspondent Tracy Smith, a self-proclaimed fan of Blahnik's shoes, spoke with Candy Pratts Price, executive fashion director at Style.com and curator of the exhibit, to view some of the shoes. Smith also tried on a pair, which she says are very comfortable.

Price says the Manolo Blahnik exhibit shows the craft and time put into making the shoes.

"We went through many, many shoes and tried to find things that are very emotionally attached to Manolo like tassels and pompons – decorations, decorations, decorations, which is his favorite thing to do. He loves color," Price explains.

A famous quote by Madonna says that Manolos are better than sex because they last longer. Price says, "I think it's not just about sex. It's about the power that you feel in a Manolo. It gives you a graceful leg. It gives you some joy. They're amusing. The color makes you feel good."

She says that Blahnik is personally responsible for the creation of every one of the tens of thousands of pairs that have borne his name over three decades.

He conceives and sketches the shoes, chisels the wooden lasts from which they are made and carves the heels. The installation of the master craftsman's creations throughout the years will feature rare prototypes, sketches and memorabilia from Blahnik's private archive.

Price notes, "We brought back a lot of the sketches and all of the things from his factory and the studio of his desk, all of the things that Manolo lives with so we can see how he does this process."

Manolo Blahnik... The Shoe: A Celebration of Design will be at Phillips, de Pury & Luxembourg, 450 West 15th Street, New York, Sept. 10-19. For more information, call (212) 940-1200.