M. Blahnik New Dream Flagship Shop: Manolo Blanik's new dream store in New York

Madison Avenue in New York welcomes Manolo Blanik's new shoe boutique, in one of his iconic buildings 1923, with two separate showcases. One leads to the women's collection and the other is dedicated to men…..

Connected internally, but with each space having a separate decoration and personality. White for her, bright blue for him. The marble dominates with two Venetian chandeliers illuminating the new boutique. "I created a place for customers to be relaxed", said Blanik, who loves architecture and designed the new space with his niece and CEO of the company, Christina and Interior Designer David Thomas.

The bar at 717 Madison Avenue. Photo: Tim Williams / Courtesy of Manolo Blahnik

Although there were thoughts that the pandemic period might not be right for the opening of a new store, Blanik was very enthusiastic.. Explains to "Vogue":"I am just scared, I opened a new store in New York. I do not know if this is the right time… On the other hand I thought “yes! Why not;"People are depressed, due to the pandemic to shop. What will be the motivation; Something different… Buy things they think would be necessary, [They are] very well made, [where] they will last …»

A style from Manolo Blahnik’s latest collection.Illustration: Courtesy of Manolo BlahnikA style from Manolo Blahnik’s latest collection.Illustration: Courtesy of Manolo BlahnikA style from Manolo Blahnik’s latest collection.Illustration: Courtesy of Manolo Blahnik A style from Manolo Blahnik’s latest collection. Illustration: Courtesy of Manolo Blahnik

After 50 years in business, Blanik knows how to read his clients. He hopes that in the new store they will discover "a part of their personality that they do not know".

The new Manolo Blahnik shop is located in a registered building on the Upper East Side. Photo: Tim Williams / Courtesy of Manolo Blahnik

The new collection for autumn is innovative despite the special conditions in which it was created. "Sometimes I felt like my head was going to explode, but I completed the collection… and I think it's one of the best collections I've ever made ", says the designer. "I do not make big changes, I do not follow fashion, but I design thinking in terms of "like" or "why not….”»

Blahniks for him and her.Photo: Courtesy of Manolo Blahnik

And this time [I designed] In this way. "The maximalist approach I adopted was a response to the constraints of locking". The designer envisions a return to the pursuit of pleasure and sensuality – "Because fashion is sensual in any case".

He was inspired by his first visit to N.. York the 1974. "I grew up in the '70s and, You know, everything was like, " Who cares; ” Mean, everyone wore everything,what they wanted to wear ". London loves masculine style with baroque embroidery and expects the same in New York. "They buy things like tunics again, do not believe!Exclaims the designer.

"Young man, make accessories, make shoes!». It was the advice of the legendary director of the American "Vogue", the 1970, Diana Briland, to the then 28-year-old Manolo Blanik. And fortunately he heard her.