Two iconic cobblers, Manolo Blahnik and Kurt Geiger, will share floor space in two equally iconic London department stores and new mum Jessica Simpson has inked a deal to design a range of maternity wear bearing her name.
The designers have partnered up to sell their shoes alongside each other in London shopping destinations Harrods and Liberty. Kurt will design and manage boutiques within the shoe departments at the both London department stores.
Manolo told WWD, ”I am very excited that my shoes will reach an even broader audience through Kurt Geiger in Liberty and Harrods.”
Previously Manolo’s shoes were only available in one boutique located in London’s upmarket Chelsea district.
The Liberty space opened earlier this year and as well as shoes includes tote bags, scarves and stationery.
The Harrods area will feature the brand’s fall collection, and will span 300 square feet.
Manolo added, ”The Liberty opening in February has been very successful, and with Harrods being a breathtakingly beautiful store full of incredible heritage, seeing my shoes there in the next couple of months will be a special moment.”
Kristina Blahnik – Manolo’s niece and business brains behind the brand – is excited about expanding their operations in the UK.
She said, ”In the past, we never had a growth strategy as such – we were always about organic growth. And change can be scary. But we do want to reach out to more customers.
”But we still want to keep things small and exclusive, and we don’t want to be everywhere. We won’t be looking at any further locations in the UK.”
However, Manolo is expanding his operations in other parts of Europe after he made a personal appearance at Excelsior Milano, Milan, to fete his brand’s first trunk show at the Milanese luxury department store.
He is also set to fly to Madrid for a photo shoot with Pedro Almodovar by Mario Testino for Vogue Spain, and claims he is ”doing a collaboration for an American-European movie”.
The singer-and-actress – who gave birth to her first child, daughter Maxwell Drew, with fiance Eric Johnson on May 1 – has expanded her fashion empire after Camuto Group, the master licensee of the Jessica Simpson Collection, has penned a deal with Destination Maternity to design, produce and distribute garments branded with the blonde beauty’s name.
She said, ”I’m [pleased] to partner with Destination Maternity to design a collection of fashionable styles that make you look and feel great.
”You want to wear clothes that are flattering to your baby bump; you want to show your bump off.”
The 1970s-inspired collection contains knit tops priced at $36, bottoms ranging from $36 to $59, and a number of signature denim garments, as well as maxi dresses and vintage print tops.
Chris Daniel, president of Destination Maternity, is delighted Jessica has collaborated with the company.
He told WWD, ”It was a natural for us. She’s very well known for style and fashion and the great work she’s been doing growing her brand with the Camuto Group.”
The reality TV star’s empire – which includes handbags, sunglasses, dresses, footwear, outerwear and sportswear – is set to reach $1 billion in retail sales by the end of the year.
