#manoloblahnikxbirkenstock
BIRKENSTOCK and iconic shoe designer Manolo Blahnik are pleased to announce an upcoming collaboration, showcasing their mastery of craftsmanship and creativity. Inspired by quality and function – the core ingredients of BIRKENSTOCK, Manolo Blahnik unites with the house, furnishing his characteristic embellishments and creative dynamic symbols for iconic BIRKENSTOCK styles.
In 2020, Manolo Blahnik and his niece, company CEO Kristina Blahnik, were featured in the BIRKENSTOCK Spring/Summer campaign. Photographer Jack Davison lensed the pair in Manolo Blahnik’s first store on Old Church Street, London, wearing their own Birkenstocks. It marked the starting point of an even deeper collaboration—the end result of which is this unique collection.
“Birkenstocks have been in my wardrobe since the very beginning (of time!!) – I have loved and worn mine for many years. I am thrilled that we have been able to collaborate, fusing the Manolo Blahnik aesthetic with the everyday comfort of Birkenstocks is simply wonderful!” – Manolo Blahnik
“BIRKENSTOCK share both brand and core design values much like our own and it has been a joy to bring this to life in the new Manolo Blahnik for BIRKENSTOCK collection. Timeless, high-quality designs, crafted to be treasured and enjoyed is what we set out to create and I am delighted with the outcome. It is a privilege to cement our relationship further with BIRKENSTOCK through this collaboration, following the S/S 2020 Personality Campaign in which my uncle and I featured.” – Kristina Blahnik
“We are delighted to collaborate with Manolo Blahnik, whose unrivalled craftsmanship has long set the bar for shoemaking. This is a unique collection, fusing our trademark designs with the flair of Manolo Blahnik, to create pieces that embrace a bold and directional aesthetic that takes both to a new level.” – Oliver Reichert, CEO BIRKENSTOCK
The collection reinvents the BIRKENSTOCK style with its proudly glamorous detailing, featuring Manolo Blahnik’s trademark emphasis on all eye-catching details. The nonpareil flair for which Manolo Blahnik is renowned meets the premium craftsmanship of BIRKENSTOCK, creating a capsule at once radically modern and dynamic for both brands. Embellished with crystals and packaged in exclusive polka dot shoebox and dust bag following traditional Manolo Blahnik design, this richly coloured collection accommodates the best elements of both brands–for a remarkable, regal meeting of creative minds.
The first release of the collaboration is set to be unveiled at 1774.com, manoloblahnik.com, all Manolo Blahnik retail locations, as well as selected retailers worldwide from March 24th, 2022. The second release of styles will launch in June 2022. More information on those styles to follow.
THE COLLECTION
Arizona crystal velvet in fuchsia and blue
Playful glamour meets everyday style, in Manolo Blahnik’s show-stopping spin on the Arizona sandal. This rich new visions line sublimely reinvents the Arizona with luxurious upper in velvet, microfiber-lined French piping, and the inspired embellishment of Birkenstock’s buckle with crystals. Marrying chic and comfort, Manolo Blahnik for BIRKENSTOCK embraces a soulful spin on favourites. Paired with Birkenstock’s anatomically shaped footbed, this Arizona shows the true potential and everyday glamour that you deserve from your favourite pair.
Boston crystal velvet in fuchsia and blue
super-star showcase of luxury design and versatile craft, the Boston Crystal Velvet reinvents a classic for a whole new world of occasions. Inspired and designed by Manolo Blahnik, the premium buckle is playfully embellished with crystals – marrying this new motif with an incredibly luxurious take on the clog, including French piping in colour-matching smooth leather. Embrace this regal and remarkable new spin on a favourite shoe, in fuchsia and blue.
Arizona crystal smooth leather in black
The refinery of the iconic BIRKENSTOCK Arizona receives a sparkling twist, courtesy of Manolo Blahnik’s glamorous vision. With the anatomical shaped cork footbed in premium soft leather now accompanied by premium embellished crystals, the Manolo Blahnik for BIRKENSTOCK collaboration envisions a regal and remarkable twist.
Boston crystal smooth leather in Black
Step into a new vision of luxury, thanks to Manolo Blahnik’s dazzling take on the classic Boston clog. Luxurious smooth leather accompanies the crystals now adorning BIRKENSTOCK’s signature buckle–the spirit of craftsmanship that both brands celebrate is glamorously shown. A master of detailing, Manolo Blahnik is the perfect partner for Birkenstock’s unrivalled approach to craftsmanship and style.
The collection launches globally on 24th March and will be available in India exclusively on www.birkenstock.in/1774.
ABOUT BIRKENSTOCK –
BIRKENSTOCK is a global lifestyle brand with a heritage in iconic footwear, rooted in the creation of the BIRKENSTOCK footbed. The brand that can be traced as far as 1774 is guided by the notion of quality and function in all its actions and across all categories. The concept of all-round wellbeing is developed into footwear, sleeping systems and natural cosmetics, increasingly translating the lifestyle vision of the brand heritage.
With around 5,500 employees worldwide, this traditional, sixth-generation family-run business is also one of the German footwear industry’s biggest employers. BIRKENSTOCK was already using the term “footbed” in the 1910s, giving it the meaning, which is commonly understood by consumers all over the world to this day – as a synonym for outstanding comfort when walking and standing. By the early 1970s, BIRKENSTOCK had becomea global player. Since 2021, the company is majority owned by L Catterton, the world’s largest growth investor focused on the consumer goods industry, and Financière Agache, a holding company controlled by Agache, the holding company of the Arnault family.
Manufactured in Germany, the sandals are sold in more than 100 countries on all continents. BIRKENSTOCK also has a growing range of closed shoes, children’s shoes, and occupational footwear, as well as specialist products for orthopedic retailers, socks, bags, and belts. In 2017, BIRKENSTOCK added sleep systems and natural cosmetics (BIRKENSTOCK NATURAL SKIN CARE) to its portfolio of products. BIRKENSTOCK has 16 sites in Germany, in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Bavaria, and Saxony. The long-standing enterprise also operates its own sales offices in the United States and Canada as well as in Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Denmark, Poland, Switzerland, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Dubai and India.
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 recognised 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 303 doors globally with points of sale in 31 countries encompassing Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, and operates its own global ecommerce platform, manoloblahnik.com .The brand has 21 standalone boutiques including two recent openings in New York, a pop up 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.
