The new Manolo Blahnik shop in Paris is located in the shoe department of Printemps, the 150 year old grand magasin on Boulevard Haussmann. Conjuring up the imagery, materials, textures and lighting of La Belle Epoque, the Parisian store is a true stage set for retail.
The key inspiration was the Orient Express, the fabled train service between Paris and Istanbul that became forever associated with the glamour and luxury of high-end travel. The shop design uses the iconography of travel, in particular the grand travel trunk, with a series of bespoke display cases to display the shoes. Backlit and finished with quilted pony hair leather interiors, large brass corners and detailing and bold colours, the cases serve to give the Manolo Blahnik concession an intimate, enclosed feel, almost like a train carriage or private compartment. The cases are paired with low leather banquettes.