Legendary Spanish shoe designer Manolo Blahnik’s connection to Britain is deep-rooted and long-standing – hailing from the Canary Islands, he moved to London in 1969 and opened his first boutique on Old Church Street in Chelsea not long afterwards. An effusive Anglophile, he continues to use London as the base of his now-extensive business and has even become a fan of local cuisine (his favourite, Blahnik previously told Wallpaper*, is the bread and butter pudding from historic London restaurant Wiltons).
As of this month, Blahnik has chosen London department store Harrods – perhaps Britain’s most well-known luxury retailer – to open a new ephemeral boutique dedicated to his ever-growing menswear collection (open until 31 July 2023). It marks the first dedicated pop-up to the men’s arm of the business, and will comprise over 60 different styles with six pairs exclusive to the Harrods space. ‘I simply adore Harrods, it is an iconic institution and one of London’s most recognisable landmarks,’ said Blahnik of the choice. ’I could get lost in the store for hours.’
Manolo Blahnik menswear pop-up in Harrods
The pop-up features the tools used to make Manolo Blahnik’s shoes in Italy
Housed in the footwear department on the second floor, the space itself is a reflection of what Blahnik calls the pillars of the brand: ‘colour, craftsmanship, creativity, and comfort’. In particular, it celebrates the Italian artisans who create his shoes, with a glass vitrine containing the various tools needed to construct each style providing the central point of the pop-up. Other objects include pattern pieces and Blahnik’s original hand-drawn sketches, which is where every Manolo Blahnik shoe begins.
Elsewhere, a digital screen will show footage of his shoes being produced – detailing every step in the process – while the shoes themselves are displayed on specially constructed wooden stands. Blahnik hopes that the pop-up will invite people into the world of the brand, and sets the groundwork for other dedicated men’s spaces – an arm of the label which is expanding rapidly.
The pop-up is found on the London department store’s second floor
‘Our men’s offering is a huge focus for our business, and we are deeply passionate about the growth of this category and creating awareness around our expertly crafted and timeless collections,’ says CEO Kristina Blahnik. ‘To create a unique space within Harrods has been a dream of ours for some time. We wanted to use the space to showcase the craftsmanship behind our shoes handmade by our skilled artisans in Italy.’
‘I have been making men’s shoes for more than 50 years,’ adds Manolo (who marked the five decades with a virtual exhibition ‘The Manolo Blahnik Archives: A New Way of Walking‘), ‘and I am thrilled to have a dedicated space to present my latest men’s collection and classic designs. I can’t wait for everyone to experience the pop-up.’
Manolo Blahnik men’s pop-up runs at Harrods until 31 July 2023.
-
Pedro y Juana's take on architecture: 'We want to level the playing field’Mexico City-based architects Padro y Juana bring their transdisciplinary, participatory approach to the Mexico pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025; find out more
-
The Sialia 45 cruiser is a welcome addition to the new generation of electric boatsPolish shipbuilder Sialia Yachts has launched the Sialia 45, a 14m all-electric cruiser for silent running
-
Tokyo design studio We+ transforms microalgae into coloursCould microalgae be the sustainable pigment of the future? A Japanese research project investigates
-
Vans’ West End store turns skatepark, with a 200 sq m travertine rampPart store, part community hub, Vans West End in London ramps up its skateboarding credentials with a design by Andrea Caputo Studio
-
20 years of Dover Street Market’s transporting in-store installations, from giant elephants to soft toysAs Dover Street Market, Rei Kawakubo and Adrian Joffe’s radical London concept store, celebrates its 20th anniversary, we look back at ten of its most colourful installations, crafted alongside Simone Rocha, Jonathan Anderson, Martin Parr and more
-
Alaïa’s secret new London café and bookstore is inspired by the art of hostingHoused on the third floor of Alaïa’s London flagship, the intimate space – inspired by Azzedine Alaïa’s famed hospitality – includes a Violet Cakes bakery and a bookstore by Claire de Rouen
-
‘Music is in the DNA of the brand’: AV Vattev on creating this year’s loudest accessoryRising London designer AV Vattev – who has recently outfitted Charli XCX and Troye Sivan for their viral ‘Sweat’ tour – talks about the influence of music on his ‘bold and unapologetic’ collections
-
APOC’s secret London pop-up is a curiosity shop of weird and wonderful fashionOffbeat fashion emporium APOC’s London pop-up opens in time for the holiday season, offering the work of more than 70 avant-garde designers – most of which you won’t find elsewhere – in a secret location
-
Paul Smith’s Claridge’s Christmas tree is a playful slice of ‘countryside in the centre of London’Sir Paul Smith is the latest in a long line of fashion designers to curate the iconic Claridge’s Christmas tree. Here, he talks to Wallpaper* about the inspiration behind the tree, which features bird boxes and wooden animals
-
Tour Jacquemus’ new store, a serene Mediterranean escape in central LondonSimon Porte Jacquemus has united with OMA on his latest store – a Meditteranean-inspired bolthole on London’s New Bond Street. Here, they talk Wallpaper* through the transporting space
-
The making of Loro Piana’s magical festive Harrods takeover, ‘The Workshop of Wonders’Celebrating 100 years of Loro Piana, the Italian house has taken over Harrods in time for the festive season, spanning 36 transporting windows, two pop-ups and a raft of one-of-a-kind products which embrace the spirit of giving
