Manolo Blahnik, inside the atelier

Manolo Blahnik Craft

From the headset to the workbench. From finished shoe back to first idea. For the launch of The Craft Room at 11 Carlos Place, we took guests beyond the finished Manolo Blahnik shoe and into the craft behind it.

The word RESONATE in large, light blue, blurred capital letters.

From Sketch to Shoe

The journey began digitally. Inside Xydrobe VR pods, guests entered the Manolo atelier, moving through its archive and creative process to discover how an idea becomes a shoe. Then, the virtual became physical. Craft tables brought guests closer to the tools, materials and techniques they had just encountered, while shoes, archive imagery, film and interactive displays revealed more of the story throughout the space.

Inside the Making

The creative brought two worlds together. The futuristic technology and monochrome architecture of Carlos Place met Manolo’s traditional craftsmanship, archive and unmistakable personality. Black, grey and the signature polka dot ran through the environment, while branding appeared in smaller, unexpected details rather than taking over the room.

A Shoe Has Its Secrets

Guests could move through the experience in their own way, from virtual atelier to workbench, archive to finished shoe. Centuries-old craft, seen through a completely new lens.