Manolo Blahnik Presents Its New Spring 2024 Women's Collection
Luxferity, 22.01.2024
Manolo Blahnik’s enduring references to nature, artists, architecture, and heritage find a remarkable outlet in the Spring ’24 collection. This season heroes a balance of form and function with intricate embellishments and bold colour on faultless silhouettes. A commitment to the highest level of craftsmanship is once again woven throughout the collection.
The wonders of the natural world provide endless delight and inspiration. Its beauty is translated for Spring ’24 in ankle straps cut in the fanned lines of acanthus leaves. A springtime garden crossed with David Bailey’s iconic 1960’s floral portraiture led to the season’s delicate daisy lace motif seen on the timeless HANGISI and CAMPARI styles. Precious coral is represented with beading, embroidery, and embellishments – a nod to both Blahnik’s love for the ocean’s treasure and the exquisite craftsmanship signature to the house.
Blahnik celebrates his Mediterranean heritage this season with an edit of styles inspired by the riches of the Riviera. Studying the work of society photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue and expressive painted landscapes by Pierre Bonnard, Blahnik designed bold Parasol-inspired stripes, peaked detailing, and a new Art Deco angular embellishment. The artists’ unconventional use of colour and composition appear in the eclectic palette of soft pastels, deep reds, and electric blues.
Looking to Picasso’s oeuvre during his time spent in the Mediterranean, Blahnik was moved by portraits of Jacqueline to incorporate serrated edges, angular cutouts, and a bold colour palette drawn from cubist motifs. An elegant feather embellishment this season was drawn from the recurring images of doves in Picasso’s pieces from this time. The fellow artist also inspired geometric caged sandals and pumps in neutral hues.
Modernist architecture in Blahnik’s beloved Italy served as inspiration for Spring’s graphic prints. Zig zagging lines on the iconic Maysale were inspired by the Palazzo dell‘Economia of Bari. Classical statues of Siracusa led to metallic sandals with straps and stud detailing. Traditional Italian ceramic mosaics inspired a tile print in vivid palettes of sunset orange and ocean blue.
Blahnik often delves into his own archives for the joy of revisiting his most loved styles. The VANESSA pump, originally created in 1996 for John Galliano’s ballet-themed show, is reimagined for Spring ’24 in shades of black, tan and gold. Classics this season feature square toes, strappy silhouette, and eye-catching patent and satin materials.
Spring ’24 embodies the commitment to both heritage and innovation that is so precisely Manolo, melding inspirations from artists and artwork of all mediums. The collection celebrates boldness in colour and character and the emphasis remains on creativity and craftsmanship.