Author: Martina Lelli
Who isn’t obsessed with Manolo? If the iconic line from “Sex and the City” still echoes in your fashion memory, there’s good news: Manolo Blahnik is finally landing in Milan. The legendary fashion maison will open its first boutique in Via Verri, Milan, in the heart of the “Quadrilatero della Moda”. After London and Paris, Milan becomes the third European city to welcome a flagship store—further cementing its reputation as a global fashion capital and a natural home for the brand endless elegance.
It all began with few costume sketches for “A Midnight Summer’s Dream” and the life-changing adivce of Diana Vreeland — the fashion editor of the Met Costume Institute — who urged Manolo to study footwear. Founded in th 1970s by the eponymus Spanish-born, London-based shoesdesigner, the brand rose to international fame through its frequent appearances in the cult TV series “Sex and the City”. Its shoes—worn and worshipped by Carrie Bradshaw—have become the symbol of the vivuese, sophisticated femininity and aspirational style, turning Blahnik into a household name far beyond the confines of the runway.
Despite the challengese of the post-pandemic luxury market, Manolo Blahnik has demonstrated remarkable and admirable resilience. Even if the company’s revenues for the year ending in 2024, the brand reported €106.5 million in revenue, a 10% drop from the €118.2 million of the previous year. Still, the company has achieved its second-best year ever and has kept a healthy operating margin of 15%, showing that it is being run efficiently and continues to have a solid foundation.
Now, after decades of wholesale presence in Italy, the maison is ready to strengthen its retail footprint. According to industry sources, the boutique is expected to open as early as the end of next month, joining a global network of exclusive storefronts and reaffirming the brand’s strategic vision.
The arrival of Manolo Blahnik in Milan is more than a store opening: it’s a celebration of heritage, glamour, and the enduring power of an iconic shoe.
