Founded by Manuel “Manolo” Blahnik Rodríguez in 1970, this luxury shoe brand has been family-run and privately owned ever since. The first Manolo Blahnik boutique was opened in the same year in Chelsea, London, and Blahnik himself remains Creative Director and Chairman to this day. Sketching every shoe himself, the process from design to creation is closely followed by Blahnik, who travels to Italy every season to choose materials and ensure the designs are exactly as envisioned.
Blahnik revived the stiletto heel in the 1970’s- a move away from the platform style shoes which had monopolised throughout the previous decade. His inspiration derived from his mother, who made her own shoes when she could not find any she liked. Throughout the time of the Manolo Blahnik brand, the style has remained glamorous and enticing, with a strong belief in the exceptional power of the heeled shoe.
Creative yet timeless, Manolo Blahnik creates shoes and accessories for men and women, ranging from flats and loafers to boots and heels. The signature Hangisi heels are found in opulent jewel-tones, with brooch-like embellishments which allude to old-time glamour and elegance. Manolo Blahnik shoes exude femininity from their high heels to their sandals, using experimental design to keep things modern. In their shoes for women, Manolo Blahnik styles are bold and luxurious, using rich colour and stunning accents to form alluring pieces. For men, the brand is refined and sleek, while also offering exciting and lavish styles in bejeweled loafers and beautiful fabrics throughout. Manolo Blahnik creates shoes for every occasion, whether the need is sharp and understated or striking and impressive.
Manolo Blahnik has boutiques across the world. London, Geneva, Moscow, Dubai, Tokyo are just a handful of locations. They also have an online store through their website, and Manolo Blahnik designs can be purchased from Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.