A virtual world themed across five ‘rooms', the interactive experience celebrates past and present pivotal moments, with the ability to grow and evolve with the brand in the future - revealing, for the first time, the breadth of the house’s archives, as well as Blahnik’s unique artistic flair, the intricacy invested in each design, his humour, and the remarkable scope of his cultural references.
The immense project has been a long term ambition of company CEO, Kristina Blahnik and designed under her direction. The archival content and touchpoints throughout have been compiled by renowned industry expert, Judith Clark in conjunction with Manolo Blahnik himself and the brand’s in house Archive team. In the making for over 18 months, Rōnin an independent digital design studio based in Amsterdam have led the build of the experience from its conception.
A New Way of Walking is available to a global audience, a feat previously unattainable by physical installations limited to central hubs, and remarkably the experience is fully certified as AA compliant to ensure it is broadly accessible to all.
The Rooms
The Palette RoomUpon entering the virtual space in The Palette Room, 80 sketches are arranged in a spectrum of colour some containing discovery touchpoints with previously untold backstories. This room celebrates Blahnik’s endless love and use of colour. “I have approached colour in a bold way, from all angles and variations. I have played with it, always searching for the poetry of an impossible colour,” says the designer.
The ‘70s RoomThrough film clips, newspaper cuttings, unseen portraits and personal photographs, this room tells a story of the many ‘firsts' in the early days. Archival sketches showcase Blahnik’s d esign journey and illustrates how his designs have developed over the past 50 years there is the Orientallia Babouche from 1978 showcasing the early influence of Morocco, the Marlene pump from 1979 featuring a primary example of the buckle for which the house has become renowned and the storied Warsuma shoe created for Ossie Clark. Also housed in the archive is a dress from the same Ossie Clark, 1971 ‘Black Magic’ runway show for which Blahnik designed his first collection. Blahnik created thick rubber heels and forgot to put steel support rods inside, leaving the shoes structurally unsound and models with an unusual, unbalanced walk. However, press loved them and the British photographer, Cecil Beaton coined it “A new way of walking”. Now, 50 years later, this bittersweet accident is the title of a new Manolo world.
FriendshipsThroughout his career there have been some exceptional friendships that have guided and influenced Manolo’s work. Friendships is a space dedicated to these deep connections and l ifelong relationships, without which the brand many know, and love may not exist in the same way today. Featured friends include, Diana Vreeland, the former Editor in Chief of
American Vogue who was a mentor to Blahnik in the early days and encouraged his foray into footwear. Anna Piaggi, the Italian writer, and fashion icon for whom Blahnik designed and dedicated styles including MENCHI and PIAGGI.
The Gold RoomA celebration of opulence and excess, highlighting some of the most fantastical and exuberant designs, exceptional materials, and extraordinary craftsmanship from the past five decades and Manolo’s ongoing influence of gold. Alongside sketches and materials is the new 50 th anniversary collection a capsule of gold styles that are lavish, baroque an d quintessentially Manolo also available to shop within the
experience.
Our Family The sentiment that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” - Aristotle, is one that is close to the heart of the Blahnik family. This ‘room' was created to capture a snapshot of the entire house in its 50th year and to appreciate the individuals who have worked alongside Manolo and the Blahnik family to build a brand which today is globally recognised as a leader in luxury whilst remaining a family run business. In this room, portraits of each team member, accompanied by personal quotes and values are compiled to form a portrait of Blahnik, originally shot by celebrated British photographer, Misan Harriman.
thearchives.manoloblahnik.com
