This August, luxury shoemaker Manolo Blahnik unveils a new shopping destination within Japanese luxury department store Hankyu Umeda. Within the shop-in-shop, fashion enthusiasts will find a carefully curated selection of Manolo Blahnik’s beloved classics.
Having established a presence in the department store since 2016, the new space signifies an exciting milestone for the brand, as it brings together the men’s and women’s collections side by side for the first time in Hankyu.
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Nestled within Umeda Fashion, the expansive 70-square-metre space features a contemporary redesign that serves as a backdrop for Manolo Blahnik creations, offering clients an elevated boutique experience.
“I am delighted that we are able to open a larger boutique within Hankyu Umeda in association with our longstanding partners, the Bluebell Group. Our business in Japan continues to grow from strength to strength and I am excited to see the reaction to our elegant new space. We look forward to welcoming our loyal customers and new clientele into our magical new home for Manolos,” says Manolo Blahnik’s chief executive officer, Kristina Blahnik.
At present, Manolo Blahnik is distributed in over 300 doors globally with points of sale in 30 countries across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, in addition to its own global e-commerce platform. Bluebell Group has been Manolo Blahnik’s retail partner in Asia since 2016, supporting the brand’s expansion in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Taiwan.
As the largest area on the floor, the Manolo Blahnik space aims to make a bold statement. Inspiration is drawn from the likes of Walter Gropius and Bauhaus, as well as the renowned Jean-Michel Frank. The resulting shopping environment exudes a clean, minimal, and modern aesthetic, while still embracing the signature “living room” style for which Blahnik’s spaces are renowned.
In line with the brand’s global retail strategy, the new store showcases a distinctive design crafted by architect Nick Leith-Smith, in close collaboration with Manolo Blahnik himself and with CEO Kristina Blahnik to develop original concepts for each location.
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Established in 1970, the eponymous brand remains privately owned and family-run today, and has retained its cultural cachet through collaborations with celebrities and other brands, more recently with popular casual footwear label Birkenstock.
Retail in Asia is part of the Bluebell Group.