Certain styles from Ann Mashburn, Manolo Blahnik, and Roger Vivier aren’t necessarily indistinguishable from each other but to the layman, they could be confused for one another. Much like how Golden Goose sneakers give Converse and vice versa, unless you know what codes to look for, these three brands are doppelgängers for each other.
The buckle style, which is what Ann Mashburn is known for, looks a lot like the variations of and the Maysale, and the more casual styles, especially the Belle, from Roger Vivier. However, the difference of these lies in the shape of the heel. Ann Mashburn has a low block heel. The Manolo Blahnik Maysale as well as the slingback and mule variations, feature a low stiletto heel (and is also available in a flat). Finally, the Roger Vivier Belle is known for a very distinct, mod slanted heel, which thanks to its feat of engineering, drives the price.
The first Sex and the City movie, released simultaneously as the Manolo Blahnik Hangisi, put the shoe style on the map. The Hangisi was an instant icon! Sixteen years later, and the shoe is as relevant as ever. Like the Maysale, the Hangisi is available in mule, flat, and slingback versions.
What most of the self-proclaimed fashionistas who immediately co-opted the Manolo Blahnik Hangisi failed to recognize is that Roger Vivier had been producing heels with an embellished rectangular buckle for several decades. While Roger Vivier, the man, established his brand in 1937, he simultaneously designed for Dior from 1953 to 1963 and later designed for Yves Saint Laurent during the 1960s.
Also, make no mistake, Carrie Bradshaw Preston would go on to wear a pair of embellished Roger Vivier pumps, fourteen years and a devastating shoe-ruining shower after sporting the Hangisi.
roger vivier
manolo blahnik
compare the colors…
…and the price tags
Ann Mashburn is by and far the most economical brand of the three. Manolo Blahnik is more middle-of-the-road, albeit still relatively expensive. I will also say, that the more seasonal styles and novelty fabrics and colors go on sale. Lastly Roger Vivier is expensive AF. Use your fifteen percent off department store coupons here because hoo-boy, will a pair of Belles clean out the quarterly discretionary spending.
