Forty four years after opening his first boutique on Old Church Street in Chelsea, shoe designer Manolo Blahnik has opened his dream store in Mayfair.
Words by Elysia Agnew
Having fallen in love with Mayfair as a teenager, for Manolo, the quintessentially British Burlington Arcade is a true epitome of traditional England and is the perfect spot for bespoke shopping.
The prestigious shoe designer opened his first London store in Chelsea in 1973. Forty four years and an archive of handmade high heels later, he has opened the doors to his brand new store on Piccadilly.
Burlington Arcade is famous for its exquisite artisan shops selling hand-made jewellery, cashmere and leather goods. The arcade is the perfect match for the brand and is a place that inspired Manolo as a young man. His love affair with England started as a child after reading Enid Blyton and Charles Dickens; but he was a teenager when he first visited London and Burlington Arcade was one of the places he instantly fell in love with. Taken in by the entrance and the air of intimacy about the place, he dreamt of returning to work one day.
“I have adored the Burlington Arcade from the very first visit. It has that intimate feeling and one always feels welcome, especially when the Beadles greet you at the entrance. It is an elegant place with history and tradition and the shops that occupy it share the same qualities as I find essential in beautiful hand made products. Honestly, I could not think of a better place to be”, he says.
The boutique stocks both women’s and men’s shoes from the seasonal collection as well as classic pieces for that special occasion. Keeping with the brand’s signature electric designs, the space benefits from bright interiors set amongst a neutral backdrop; creating a fun, yet incredibly tranquil shopping space for customers to browse, enjoy and be inspired.
There will be a private room available on the top floor, where customers can request special orders, customise their favourite items and simply enjoy some quiet shopping time. An exclusive shopping experience perfect for a bride-to-be looking for unique designs and stand-out high heels.
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