Kristina Blahnik, CEO of the British luxury shoe brand Manolo Blahnik, is not only an outstanding entrepreneur, but also has a creative soul. She has successfully led the family-owned company through a decade, maintaining a sincere attitude and guarding the brand's precious legacy. Although her uncle Manolo founded the iconic eponymous brand in London half a century ago, her shoe career has not been smooth sailing. After more than ten years in the construction industry, she deeply felt the attraction of the family business and finally decided to join.
Unlike many CEOs, she plays an integral role in the creation and development of each series. She personally visited the factory in Milan and discussed proportions and details with her uncle Manolo Blahnik, deeply understanding the essence of the design and helping to realize the vision of this design. Her mother and uncle have been constant inspirations for her sartorial aesthetic, and she has focused on building relationships around the world, carefully selecting brand partners to expand the business. In the interview with "Supreme", she shared her deep insights into the footwear industry and the brand's unique position in the industry.
Growing up in a shoebox
She details her early upbringing in fashion and her eventual decision to join the family business. She said: "I always say that I was like a child growing up in a shoe box! When I was young, fashion has penetrated my life silently like air. When I was a child, I would often play around the store while my mother and uncle were obsessed with shoes and would even work in the store after school. I never considered the possibility of joining the family business. My parents and even Manolo himself always encouraged me to pursue my dreams and do what I wanted to do. So I studied architecture and worked in this field for almost 17 years, building my own company, which I still have today. in operations and designs most of our stores around the world.”
She explains the key design principles and concepts of the Manolo Blahnik brand and believes that the value of a pair of shoes lies in its beauty. "Our shoes are more than just fashion, they are works of art that should be celebrated," she said. "My uncle was more than just a shoe designer, he was an artist whose creativity flowed through the design of his shoes." We have considered this idea at the heart of the brand from the beginning, which is why I wanted to launch the Craft Room in our virtual archive, which celebrates the amazing designs Manolo has created over the past 50 years. As well as the craftsmen who help bring these designs to life, building this digital space has been a passion of mine and I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done.”
She further discussed the brand’s craftsmanship and attention to detail, emphasizing the family-owned company’s deep relationship with its artisans. She said: “Craftsmanship is at the heart of everything we do and through The Craft Room I want to pay the highest respect to the craftsmen behind each pair of shoes. We are a family business with family values. Behind every pair of shoes It’s the craftsmen that we have had a personal relationship with for decades and generations. They are the real magicians. You can sketch amazing designs, but it’s the craftsmen who bring the shoes to life. The Craft Room is delighted to bring their craftsmanship and skills to the world, while we continue to educate people.”
Only by looking back can we move forward
Regarding how the brand maintains innovation, she emphasized her respect for the brand's tradition and launched The Manolo Blahnik Archives in 2021 to pay tribute to the classic shoes designed by her uncle. She said: “Like many people, I have a deep admiration for my uncle. Through The Archives we wanted to pay tribute to the incredible brand he created while also celebrating our heritage. I have a deep appreciation for the pieces he designed. My dream is to open the archives I took 22 years ago and let people have a glimpse of them. I always feel deeply regretful when these archives are hidden away from the eyes of the world. Only by looking back can we move forward. Only then can we break more creative boundaries. Respect for our brand will inspire our innovative thinking.”
Kristina mentioned the brand’s highlight collaborations in film and television, in particular Manolo’s proud design of shoes for Sofia Coppola’s film Marie Antoinette. She revealed: “Manolo drew a lot of inspiration from Marie Antoinette and his collaboration with the great costume designer Milena Canonero was a huge highlight of his career. . The film won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design that year, which was a huge milestone for our brand.”
Talking about the ever-changing fashion and trend landscape, Kristina noted, “Manolo is unfazed by fashion trends. He has always stayed true to the aesthetic he developed in his early years. As a company, our goal is to launch collections that will stand the test of time. Ours The brand is like a beautiful building, an environment where my uncle’s creativity is free. Manolo’s vision is so pure and consistent.”
She mentioned the brand’s commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, stressing that their goal is to establish an ongoing roadmap to continually improve and make the brand better. “We don’t call this effort sustainability because I think the word sustainability is sometimes misunderstood,” she said. “It seems to be a binary concept—either it’s sustainable or it’s not.” The sustainable development of anything is quite difficult because the way everything is practiced may face challenges. We prefer to use the word "responsibility" because it better reflects that it is an ongoing journey. We are developing an evolving roadmap to help us continue to improve and move forward. It is a more realistic approach. We are continuing to work on this journey, and while there is still much to do, we have made great achievements. progress and will continue to work tirelessly to get better.”
Ultimately, her advice to young designers is to stay humble, stay curious and always be proactive. Regarding the definition of luxury lifestyle, she said: "Luxury comes from inner feelings. At Manolo Blahnik, we are committed to making people smile and bringing this energy into the world. We are a family, making beautiful art, We hope that these works will bring a smile to people’s faces, especially in today’s society where there is a greater focus on well-being, mental health and conveying the rich stories of our heritage.”
