Manolo Blahnik opens new boutique in Harrods’ ‘Shoe Heaven’ space

Luxury footwear and accessories brand Manolo Blahnik has today unveiled a new boutique within the ‘Shoe Heaven’ area on the fifth floor of Harrods in London’s Knightsbridge.

The “vibrant” space celebrates Manolo Blahnik’s bold use of colour with an immersive gallery of 300 of the Spanish designer’s unique design sketches. As such, Harrods customers can now explore the new AW26 collection set against a backdrop of Blahnik’s distinctive artistic language.

The gallery nods to the ‘Palette Room’ within the Manolo Blahnik Archives – the brand’s virtual space of archival sketches – while the space also highlights Manolo Blahnik’s enduring dedication to artisanship through a craft table displaying elements of traditional shoemaking.

The installation pays homage to the highly skilled Italian artisans who “meticulously bring each shoe to life by hand”.

Additionally, the space features a display of Manolo Blahnik’s desk, adorned with his personal artefacts, offering visitors a glimpse into Blahnik’s creative world.

The new AW26 collection now being showcased features footwear inspired by a diverse range of themes, “from London’s swinging 60s, to the Scottish Lowlands to the rich hues of ornate Italian castles”.

Fans of the brand will also find timeless Manolo Blahnik classics such as the ‘Maysale’, originally created for fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi in 1991, as well as the satin and crystal-embellished ‘Nadira’ and ‘Hanisi’ styles.

Kristina Blahnik, CEO of Manolo Blahnik, said: “We are delighted to open our new boutique within Harrods, an exceptional destination for luxury and a true British institution. It perfectly complements our two existing stores in London, demonstrating the enduring importance of this market to our brand.

“With this new space, set within the iconic ‘Shoe Heaven’, we celebrate the craftsmanship and artistry that defines Manolo Blahnik. We look forward to inviting the Harrods customer to experience our world in a new and engaging way.”

Manolo Blahnik launched his business in 1970 after a meeting with Diana Vreeland (then Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue) who admired his sketches and advised him to embark on a career designing shoes.