The exact reason is not known yet. But in the meantime a certainty remains. Manolo Blahnik closes in New York and says goodbye to the Sex and the City boutique. The series, in fact, strengthened the identity of the store as a place of worship for shoes addicted around the world.
And many thanks to everyone
“Thank you for being fantastic clients for the last 38 years”. These are the words on the sign posted on the shop window on the 54th Street in New York, next to the Museum of Modern Art. It is not yet clear why Blahnik closed its historic boutique in New York. Several American newspapers speculate that there is a correlation with the end of the historic relationship between the footwear brand and its American partners: George Malkemus and Anthony Yurgaitis, respectively president and vice president of Manolo Blahnik USA.
The hypothesis
According to the New York Post, George Malkemus and Anthony Yurgaitis, through a limited liability company, are the owners of the West 54th St. building, where the Blahnik boutique is located. And, at the end of the year, the lease contract will expire, it will no longer be renewed between the parent company and Manolo Blahnik USA.
New opportunities
Carla Filmer, Chief Marketing Officer for Manolo Blahnik, told the New York newspaper that “we are looking for new retail opportunities across North America. We look forward to announcing soon an exciting new independent position”. Meanwhile, Manolo Blahnik creations are (still) present in New York in some high-end stores. For example, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
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