Manolo Blahnik SPRING 23 WOMEN’S COLLECTION
Manolo Blahnik drew from a typically wide breadth of inspirations for the Spring 23 collection, referencing his most-admired historical eras, love of the natural world and appreciation of pioneering artists. As ever, craftsmanship and heritage have a central role in Blahnik’s design process. The collection strikes a balance of tradition and modernity that is distinctively Manolo.
Blahnik’s characteristic decade-spanning sartorial references are woven effortlessly through the collection. Refined nods to 18th century trims, the romantic allure of Elizabeth Taylor and the era-defining mod movement appear in striking colour palettes while elegant 1930’s couture and historic corseting inspired the most glamorous of latticing and lace-up details.
The season’s lush florals come from Blahnik’s endless love for the natural world with silhouettes molded after the tropical flora of his native Canary Islands, painterly prints drawn from the works of John Singer Sargent and naturalistic embellishments emulating the curl of a fern or the extravagance of a wild garden.
Bold brush strokes, organic shapes and the striking colour palettes of impressionist artists inspire innovative silhouettes, juxtaposing textures and distinct sense of line that imbue the collection with a characteristic sense of joy. Classic styles are reimagined in exuberant contrasting hues pulled from the colour-pop architecture of the Canary Islands.
Craftsmanship and heritage are central to each of Blahnik’s love-forever creations, this season in the form of the most intricate embellishments and delicate embroidery. Pulling the very first shoes he designed for Ossie Clark’s 1971 runway from his own extensive archives, Blahnik revives the iconic climbing ivy sandal and a timeless strappy mule.
Once again, Blahnik melds a myriad of inspirations to create an innovative collection rooted in artistry and heritage with an element of fantasy for all.
About Manolo Blahnik:
With a career spanning 50 years, Manolo Blahnik is one of the world’s most influential footwear designers. His shoes have spellbound an international set of adoring and loyal devotees across the globe. Blahnik is a craftsman.
Throughout the years Blahnik’s achievements have been recognized by various bodies in many countries, most recently by the Couture Council of America and the independent luxury body Walpole, which awarded Manolo Blahnik with the ‘Luxury Legend’ award. Most prestigiously, Blahnik was awarded an Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Her Majesty the Queen. He has also published numerous books, the latest being ‘The Art of Shoes’ with Rizzoli in 2017. Along with a leading women’s line which includes evening and day bags, the brand also has a successful men’s collection.
Manolo Blahnik is distributed in over 300 doors globally with points of sale in 30 countries encompassing Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, and operates its own global ecommerce platform, www.manoloblahnik.com. The brand has 20 standalone boutiques including two recent openings in New York, in East Hampton and a flagship boutique in Manhattan located on the iconic Madison Avenue.
In 2019 Manolo Blahnik acquired its own atelier and production facility, located in Vigevano, Pavia, Italy.
In 2021 Manolo Blahnik celebrated its 50th Anniversary with the launch of The Manolo Blahnik Archives: ‘A New Way of Walking’; an interactive virtual exhibition exploring the breadth of the house’s archives and the constant innovation within, www.thearchives.manoloblahnik.com.
Manolo Blahnik is a committed partner of both the Mental Health Foundation and Wild at Heart Foundation, two charities with incredibly important causes that Kristina Blahnik and Manolo Blahnik are proud to support both personally and professionally.
