Carrie Bradshaw trotting around New York first made us fall in love with his shoes and now Manolo Blahnik has set up shop in our city of London. Although the legendary footwear designer has had a UK store nestled in Chelsea for more than four decades, this is the first time he’s bringing his luxury footwear to W1. I popped in to meet the man himself…
Beneath the Georgian arches of the Burlington Arcade you’ll find Blahnik’s new boutique. Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding shoe perches by the door, patterned confections fill the windows and heels in every conceivable colour decorate the shelves. Add a smattering of silk lamps (inspired by the designer’s home in Bath) and you’re in shoe heaven.
Amid the colourful creations, I find Mr Manolo himself. He’s dressed in a lilac suit, naturally, accented by fuchsia pink slippers and his signature bowtie. The Willy Wonka of shoes. ‘Welcome!’ he beams, gesturing for me to sit on a purple Ottoman opposite his.