March 25, 2024 – Manolo Blahnik Group (‘the Group’ or ‘Manolo Blahnik’), the luxury footwear and accessories brand, is pleased to announce that it has entered a joint venture in the Hong Kong market with Bluebell Group, a leading luxury brand operator in Asia.
Manolo Blahnik and Bluebell Group have existing, successful partnerships together operating in other Asian markets since 2016 including Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. This latest joint venture in Hong Kong will further support Manolo Blahnik in its wider strategic growth plans in the Asia Pacific region.
The joint venture was effective from Friday 22nd March 2024 with the Manolo Blahnik boutique in the Lee Gardens shopping mall opening on the same day. In the pipeline for 2024 are two additional store openings, including a boutique in Pacific Place shopping centre scheduled for the final quarter of the year, with a further location to be announced.
Designed by Nick Leith-Smith Architecture and Design, the Lee Gardens boutique has a geometric design as its focal point and a distinctive square panelled shelving system on the interior walls visible through an impressive, curved glass store front. Inspired by a concept initially used in the Manolo Blahnik boutique in Burlington Arcade, the design has been updated with a vibrant twist of the orient through the addition of a silk colour gradient lining on the shelving where classic, seasonal, and exclusive product is on display. Both stores are in key retail locations with the aim of providing an exceptional shopping experience with first-class customer service and a curated product offering.
Kristina Blahnik, CEO of Manolo Blahnik, said: “We are delighted to be entering the next phase of our relationship with Bluebell Group as we look to develop Manolo Blahnik’s presence in Hong Kong and consolidate our position in this dynamic market. Bluebell Group have been our established partner since 2016 and the mutual trust we have in each other has given us this wonderful new opportunity to enhance our offering in Hong Kong and tell the incredibly rich story of our heritage and craft.”
Ashley Micklewright, President and CEO of the Bluebell Group, said: “We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Manolo Blahnik, a name that represents true artistry and luxury in the fashion world. Our strong relationship with the brand in other key Asian markets and our ongoing mutual trust has paved the way for this exciting partnership into Hong Kong.”
Samy Redjeb, Bluebell Greater China Managing Director, who will be overseeing the brand’s operations in market, added: “Through our shared values and passion for delivering excellence and a superior shopping experience, we are confident that the people of Hong Kong will continue to embrace Manolo Blahnik’s unique blend of craftsmanship and creativity.”
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ABOUT MANOLO BLAHNIK
With a career spanning over 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 menswear collection.
Manolo Blahnik is distributed in over 300 doors globally with points of sale in 30 countries encompassing Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, and operates its own global ecommerce platform, www.manoloblahnik.com. The brand has 20 standalone boutiques including two recent openings in New York, one in East Hampton and a flagship 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. In 2023 ‘The Craft’ launched withing the virtual space, highlighting a behind the scenes of our atelier in Italy for the first time, and celebrating Manolo’s design process, unique techniques and the artisans who bring Manolo Blahnik collections to life. www.thearchives.manoloblahnik.com.
ABOUT BLUEBELL GROUP
Bluebell Group has pioneered building successful brands in Asia since 1954. As Asia’s partner of choice, Bluebell Group is present in Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan, Macau SAR, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Australia.
The Group’s distribution network includes flagship stores, shop-in-shops, counters, its own multi-brand concepts, as well as a highly selective wholesale network, together with both direct ecommerce and marketplaces, covering both domestic and Travel Retail.
The Group operates across multiple product categories: Accessories, Footwear, Apparel, Fragrance, Beauty, Gourmet, Jewellery, Watches, Liquor and Tobacco.
Bluebell Hong Kong, established in 1967, has 220 employees, 25 retail doors and operates 5+ leading luxury, fashion, lifestyle and tobacco brands to date. Bluebell Hong Kong is a joint-venture partner of Owndays Japan and Alice Italy.
A family-owned group, Bluebell Group today has over 3,000 staff, 600 points-of-sale.
www.bluebellgroup.com