Saks Fifth Avenue New York Launches Manolo Blahnik

NEW YORK, Aug. 20, 2015 /CNW/ -- On August 22, 2015, Saks Fifth Avenue's New York flagship will make history with Manolo Blahnik. For the first time, the Manolo Blahnik brand joins Saks New York's famed 10022-SHOE designer shoe salon on Eight with a permanent boutique, one of the largest Manolo Blahnik boutiques in the world. Saks Fifth Avenue will celebrate the momentous occasion with New York windows, exclusive Manolo Blahnik footwear, the launch of Blahnik's new book Fleeting Gestures and Obsessions and companywide events, including a rare, in-store appearance by the designer at his Saks New York boutique in September.

"It's terribly exciting to finally be landing at Saks in New York City. It has always been one of my favourite specialty stores, and I cannot wait to see the new space which I am sure will be splendid," stated Manolo Blahnik.

"Manolo Blahnik is a footwear legend. We proudly welcome his brand to our New York flagship," commented Tracy Margolies, Chief Merchandising Officer at Saks Fifth Avenue. "This partnership signifies yet another milestone in Saks Fifth Avenue's continued evolution into a global
luxury retail destination."

BOUTIQUE
The Manolo Blahnik boutique will live in the famed 10022-SHOE on the eighth floor within Saks Fifth Avenue New York. At approximately 760 square feet, the boutique is comprised of two rooms custom-designed by the Saks design team in collaboration with Manolo Blahnik. The first room represents a sophisticated woman's boudoir enveloped by walls and walls of shoes with a large antique Murano glass chandelier as its centerpiece. Custom metal and mother-of-pearl screens seamlessly transition customers from the boudoir into the sitting room featuring a Venetian glass-mirrored focal wall. Overall, the boutique is a modern take on traditional residential design; the use of moldings and antique chandeliers is offset by textural plaster and quirky custom furniture.

MAGALOG
Saks Fifth Avenue's Fall 2015 Magalog will feature an exclusive conversation between Blahnik and Valerie Steele, Director and Chief Curator of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology.  The interview, entitled "Extremities of Manolo Blahnik," offers a glimpse into the designer's personality, achievements—including his upcoming 2015 Couture Council Award for Artistry in Fashion—his 10022-SHOE New York debut and the release of his new book, Fleeting Gestures and Obsessions.

FLEETING GESTURES AND OBSESSIONS
Featuring more than forty years of shoe design, Fleeting Gestures and Obsessions is the definitive monograph of the work of Manolo Blahnik, one of the titans of contemporary fashion. This book is a comprehensive survey of Blahnik's work and provides access to never-before-seen photography of his designs. With insightful chapters devoted to Blahnik's most powerful relationships and inspirations—including Marie Antoinette, Diana Vreeland, Cecil Beaton, Spanish and Italian film, the works of Goya and Velazquez and the Prado Museum—this book is a personal look into the man behind the shoes. Fleeting Gestures and Obsessions will be available at Saks Fifth Avenue New York and on saks.com in early September 2015.

SOCIAL
Saks Fifth Avenue welcomes readers around the world to follow the New York Manolo Blahnik launch (#saks #10022shoe) and to connect via social media channels for insider access to Blahnik's personal appearance at the Saks New York flagship. 

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/saks
• Tumblr: http://10022-shoe.tumblr.com/
• Our POV blog: http://sakspov.com
• Twitter & Periscope: https://twitter.com/saks

ABOUT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world's pre-eminent specialty retailers, is renowned for its superlative American and international designer collections, its expertly edited assortment of handbags, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics and gifts, and the first-rate fashion expertise and exemplary client service of its Associates. As part of the Hudson's Bay Company brand portfolio, Saks operates 38 full-line stores in 22 states, five international licensed stores and saks.com, the company's online store.

ABOUT HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY
Hudson's Bay Company, founded in 1670, is North America's oldest company. Today, HBC offers customers a range of retailing categories and shopping experiences primarily in the United States and Canada. Our leading banners – Hudson's Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH – offer a compelling assortment of apparel, accessories, shoes, beauty and home merchandise. Hudson's Bay is Canada's most prominent department store with 90 full-line locations, two outlet stores and thebay.com. Lord & Taylor operates 50 full-line locations primarily in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S., four Lord & Taylor outlet locations and lordandtaylor.com. Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world's pre-eminent luxury specialty retailers, comprises 38 U.S. stores, five international licensed stores and saks.com. OFF 5TH offers value-oriented merchandise through 85 U.S. stores and saksoff5th.com. The Company also operates Home Outfitters, Canada's largest kitchen, bed and bath specialty superstore with 67 locations. Hudson's Bay Company trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "HBC".

SOURCE Saks Fifth Avenue