Miami’s real estate market is sizzling—on both the residential and commercial fronts. And now, it’s welcoming one of the world’s most iconic shoe brands: Manolo Blahnik is opening its 20th boutique in the city’s ever-evolving Design District.
Far more than just a retail space, it’s home to an exclusive capsule collection of thirteen styles across six silhouettes—making this store a must-visit for anyone in the market for chic luxury shoes.
Designed by the brand’s longtime creative partner, Nick Leith-Smith Architecture + Design, the store stuns with a bold geometric façade marked by a signature circular motif. This visual theme continues inside, where bespoke rugs and wallpaper echo the architectural drama. The result? A shopping experience as carefully curated as the shoes themselves.
Here’s a peek inside the boutique—plus insight from CEO Kristina Blahnik on how she chose the location and helped bring the vision to life.
Welcome To Miami
Kristina Blahnik, CEO of Manolo Blahnik, tells me she chose the location because she loves the energy of the city as well as the people. “The music and magic of Miami is like no other place. It was so clear to us that we would open in the Design District, as it’s the center of so much wonderful creativity and connection—two of the most important things to me and my uncle. There is such a focus on design and craftsmanship here, which makes it the perfect place for us.”
She opted for a shop in the Design District because this neighborhood has become a luxury destination. “It amazes me how much the Design District has changed since I first visited Miami in 2014. A big part of why we wanted to be here was that we could have our own identity among the amazing family of brands present. Our façade represents Manolo’s passion for the art deco movement,” explains the entrepreneur.
The founder is equally enthused. “The energy of Miami is fantastic; the people and the place are so welcoming. I stayed at the Miami Beach Edition for a period of time in the early 2000s and thought it was wonderful. The music and madness of Miami is really like no other place on earth; the Latin American Cuban influence is omnipresent which I just adore. I wanted to open my store in the Design District because the area is full of beauty, the sculpture-filled plazas and striking architecture make it such a unique and dynamic place,” says Manolo Blahnik.
Inside The Boutique
The wildly fun interior features a chic monochromatic polka-dot motif, which the CEO tells me was inspired by Bridget Riley. “She was one of Manolo’s favorite artists and a recurring source of creativity over decades. Riley also inspired the fantastic circular patterns on the outside of the store.”
The patterns truly add an element of fun to the shopping experience. “One of my favorite things is the eye-catching pattern that will be the first thing you see when you enter. There is so much history, inspiration, and craftsmanship that has gone into making our dream a reality.”
However, she still wanted to ensure customers wouldn’t feel intimidated and wanted to assure the space felt welcoming. “We want everyone who comes into the store to experience the feeling of coming home. We want them to feel like they’ve just stepped into our living room—to relax, take a breath, and maybe have a drink. We want to make you feel at home and a part of our community.”
What Makes This Manolo Blahnik Location Unique
The built-in, individually rotating wall slats create floating displays for showcasing both footwear and smaller handbags, allowing the layout to be easily customized with each new collection. This innovative feature is currently exclusive to the Miami location.
“We design each store to have its own identity that reflects the community it’s in,” says Smith. “The displays in the store are new and dynamic—the shelves are both moveable and adaptable, presented as rotating slats unique to the Miami store.”
The installation draws inspiration from both local architecture and the European origins of Art Deco. Smith cites Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann as a key influence, as seen in the boutique’s bold color palette and use of rich, distinctive materials.
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