Cover Kristina Blahnik (pictured left) and Manolo Blahnik (Photo: Manolo Blahnik)
Kristina Blahnik (pictured left) and Manolo Blahnik (Photo: Manolo Blahnik)
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Kristina Blahnik, CEO of the designer shoe brand and the niece of its legendary founder, shares her insights on preserving the house’s heritage and introduces the new Manolo’s Silhouettes campaign
Renowned for luxury, craftsmanship and iconic style, Spanish brand Manolo Blahnik has created shoes so desired that they are simply referred to as “Manolos”. The exquisite creations have spawned numerous pop culture moments—Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw in the iconic Hangisi pumps, anyone?—and today, the shoes designed by the house’s namesake founder continue to be cherished by devout fans, including royals, pop stars and the world’s elites.
Late this year, Manolo Blahnik unveiled its Manolo’s Silhouettes campaign, which taps on the brand’s legacy. Paying tribute to some of the most iconic creations from the brand founder’s illustrious career—which spans more than five decades—that have not only graced red carpets, but also become cultural symbols, it spotlights six of the house’s silhouettes for women that are beloved for their practicality, wearability and sophistication.
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Above The iconic BB
Above The Carolyne
The iconic BB
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Each is steeped in history and artistry, from the sleek BB pumps to the chic Maysale mules, the elegant Carolyne slingbacks and the minimalist Chaos stiletto sandals. The campaign also highlights five men’s styles that elevate the modern gentleman’s wardrobe without compromising on comfort, including the polished Mario loafers, the handsome Witney oxfords, and the dressy and very luxe Carlton suede loafers.
As it continues to expand globally, Manolo Blahnik remains true to its heritage. Here, its chief executive officer Kristina Blahnik, who is the niece of the house founder, shares about her journey within the family business, the lasting allure of these iconic shoes, what lies ahead for the brand, and more.
What are some of your earliest memories of Manolo Blahnik?
I took on the role of chief executive officer in 2013, but really, I’ve been involved [with the brand] from the age of six. When the shop closed, my job was to brush the suede shoes. Growing up watching my mum and uncle do everything within the business themselves—from designing the shoes to selling them, sorting out the deliveries and doing all the press—has defined me as a person. My favourite memory is of me sitting on my uncle’s knee in our store on Old Church Street, drawing shoes and helping him dream. It felt like such a special moment and is a memory I cherish.
Above Kristina (pictured left) and Manolo Blahnik (Photo: Manolo Blahnik)
Kristina (pictured left) and Manolo Blahnik (Photo: Manolo Blahnik)
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And how has being chief executive officer of Manolo Blahnik been for you so far?
I’m rare in the fact that I love the balance of the left and right brain; the numbers and the creativity. I’m lucky that I can tap into both. I don’t [see myself ] as a typical chief executive officer for that reason. I don’t think other CEOs of [fashion] companies would be so involved in the creative [side]. For me, creating a shoe is like creating a building (she was a former architect); the proportion, the structure and the foundations must be in place.
What’s your take on brand growth? Any plans you can share?
It’s important to me that we’re mindful of our growth and take steps at the right time. We remain a family business, and our values have always remained the same and we put them at the forefront of our business. Last year, we moved into our beautiful new headquarters in London’s Mayfair, right around the corner from our men’s and women’s stores in Burlington Arcade. This year, we’ll be expanding into China, with a store opening in Shanghai as well as two stores opening in Hong Kong.
Above The Camparinew
The Camparinew
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What does the Manolo Blahnik silhouette represent for you?
It represents timeless elegance, but always with a twist. You know a Manolo when you see one. My uncle has created some of the most recognisable shoes in the world, and all of them are instantly identifiable for their inimitable beauty and uncompromising quality. He’s the master of colour.
What inspired iconic styles such as the BB and the Maysale?
The BB is [our] most famous pump and was named after the French siren Brigitte Bardot, [referencing her] sartorial heyday in the 1950s and ’60s. [Its] timeless silhouette [is testament to us perfecting the] shape and cut for a court shoe. The BB debuted in 2008, and we’ve kept it modern through seasonal materials, colours and prints. The Maysale was created in 1991 for Isaac Mizrahi’s runway show during New York Fashion Week and they were a match made in heaven.
Above The Chaos
Above The Susa
The Chaos
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What, in your opinion, makes Manolo Blahnik shoes unique?
When Manolo is in the factory making a shoe with our team of artisans, he breathes new life into it. Sometimes, he talks to each shoe as if it were human, giving it a character and name. Ultimately, we want the shoes we make to last a lifetime. We’re not driven by trends. We want customers to buy our shoes because they love them.
What can you tell us about Manolo’s Silhouettes?
It’s about finding the silhouette that represents you. We want to encourage our community to share their favourite styles and the stories behind them. Each silhouette has an incredible story behind it, whether it is being walked down a runway during New York Fashion Week or [the everyday street]. We want to celebrate these styles and moments.
What inspired the selection of styles included?
[Those included] are wardrobe staples that can be worn for almost any occasion, which highlights my uncle’s genius. He can take an idea and make it so desirable, and this is so rare. The Carolyne has a particularly great history and it was a must that we included that. It was inspired by the author Carolyne Roehm, but was made famous by Carolyn Bessette‑Kennedy. Since then, it has been worn [by] royal family members [and] first ladies.
Above The Carlton
Above The Mario
The Carlton
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How do you balance maintaining the brand’s heritage while appealing to modern consumers?
Manolo’s favourite quote is “without tradition, we are nothing”. It’s about being inspired by the past, but always looking to the future. With tradition in place, we’re able to push the boundaries with new designs. You can see this through the intricate techniques showcased in The Craft “room” of our virtual archives. Manolo loves to create the impossible. You’ve spoken about plans for physical exhibitions based on the digital archives.
Tell us more?
There’s no time frame for this yet, but physical exhibitions where the archive collection can be enjoyed in real life is something that’s important to us as a house. We have an incredible in‑house archive team that’s working on the preservation of more than 50 years of collections. Education is so important to Manolo and me, and we want to inspire future generations. For now, our amazing [digital] archives will [fulfil] this purpose; [it’s] a place where anyone in the world can visit for free and experience the wonderful world of Manolo.
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Credits
Images: Manolo Blahnik
Nafeesa Saini is the Features Editor at Tatler Singapore, where she shapes long-form stories on culture, business, philanthropy, wellness, and the people driving change in Asia. With a deep interest in storytelling that intersects meaningfully with identity and impact, she has profiled a diverse range of visionaries, from scientific pioneers in AI and health to creative trailblazers and literary minds.
Nafeesa’s writing includes cover stories and profiles that spotlight influential voices, alongside commentary on the trends reshaping our world.
Off the clock, Nafeesa unwinds with fiction, a good thrift hunt, and ‘brainrot’ TikTok scroll—while always keeping one eye on her next cultural getaway, usually to Indonesia.
