Few designers have reached such success that they can be identified solely by their first names. In addition to the short list that includes Ralph and Giorgio, there’s Manolo. One of Spain’s most famous fashion exports, Manolo Blahnik is as well known for his perfectly balanced footwear as he is his wit. “Men tell me that I’ve saved their marriages," Blahnik once quipped, and any shoe-loving man or woman would be hard pressed to resist the charm of his designs, which the prolific designer has described as “half controlled fantasy, 15 percent total madness, and the rest bread-and-butter."
Never at a loss for inspiration, Blahnik, who started out as a young boy designing shoes for lizards out of candy wrappers at his family’s home on a remote Spanish Canary island, is said to have designed over 30,000 shoes in his more than five-decade career. As he opens a boutique in Miami’s Design District this week, only his third in the United States (though he’s currently eyeing spaces in Los Angeles), that design portfolio has been expanded to include 13 styles that will be exclusive to the Florida location, which features an Art Deco-inspired facade and an interior that pays homage to the work of Josef Hoffmann. Nick Leith-Smith Architecture + Design, who has worked with the brand since designing its first store in 2004, oversaw the project.
Manolo Blahnik
“Miami has such a dynamic and vibrant energy. My uncle and I wanted a place that had community and celebrates creativity and craftsmanship. To us, that is the Miami Design District," CEO Kristina Blahnik (and Manolo’s niece) tells Robb Report, noting that as a family-run company, they are mindful of not expanding too quickly. “That focus on innovation and quality aligns perfectly with our values and vision for the business," she says. “We knew right away it was the perfect place to start our next chapter."
Blahnik also notes that despite being better known for his stilettos, her uncle has been designing men’s shoes since the 1970s. His first men’s design, the Hockney, was produced in 1971. “In 2018 we decided as a business to invest in developing a comprehensive shoe collection for the modern man," says Blahnik. “Men want something that is new and fresh, which is where we come in." That means dedicated spaces in Blahnik’s retail stores for men’s styles. With everything from refined fisherman sandals and opera pumps to raffia loafers and classic Chelsea boots, there is truly something to suit any style. “We really hit the sweet spot between color, creativity, and comfort to bring a refreshing take on men’s footwear," says Blahnik.
From the article by Naomi Rougeau
