Saudi Gazette Owning a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes is every woman's dream. The man behind the dream is the one who brought back the world's attention from chunky platform shoes to classic stiletto heels — the iconic Spanish fashion designer Manuel “Manolo” Blahnik Rodr?guez. Manolo Blahnik's shoes are a symbol of classic style and elegance brewing a global appeal as Blahnik gives attention to details, which are evident in his masterpieces. Commenting once on his designs Blahnik said: About half my designs are controlled fantasy, 15 percent are total madness and the rest are bread-and-butter designs. His services to the fashion industry are commendable and in 2007 he was honored with the title “Commander of the British Empire.” Manolo Blahniks are among the pioneers in the shoe industry and the eponymous, high-end brand boutiques are located in all major cities of the world, with Jeddah being its destination in 2013 followed by Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. Samara Punjabi will be the franchise owner of Manolo Blahnik in the GCC region. In an exclusive interview with Saudi Gazette, Punjabi said Manolo Blahnik entering the Middle Eastern market was inevitable as all well-known brands are now penetrating the region. Shoes define who we are. They carry our self-esteem and make us feel confident. Punjabi too feels that shoes can change a person's appearance completely. It can make a man or woman look formal, casual or a walking fashion disaster altogether. She believes the Arabs consider shoes as a very important accessory, like how a luxury “it” bag and a solid watch can transform an ensemble. Likewise, Manolo Blahnik's magic has now embraced the women from the Middle East. Punjabi said fetish for shoes is innate in women and transcends culture. Shoes do not only complete an outfit, they define the aura of the wearer and make her walk like a queen — taller and attractive. Manolo Blahnik shoes have been sported by almost all prominent personalities — including Sarah Jessica Parker, Ashley Olsen and Jennifer Aniston. Punjabi said it is Blahnik's design and imagination involved in the creation of each footwear that appeals to all women and the image of how they would feel when they would step in those shoes that tempts them. Punjabi explains that in recent times defining the market in the Middle East is broad in terms of nationality. She said her customers are now global within the region and due to Dubai's geographical location they now have the luxury to cater to all different cultures. Saudi women who appreciate luxuries form a major part of Manolo Blahnik's clientele in the GCC, Punjabi said. And Manolo Blahniks are the epitome of elegancy and luxury, and hence it is natural for them to relate to it, she added. The potential Saudi market is what prompted Blahnik to enter the region. Moreover, his business model is all about passion, gut feeling and timing, Punjabi stated. Although the fashion world continuously evolves, making it a challenge for women to keep up-to-date with the latest trends, heels are one thing with which one can never go wrong. Punjabi said the highlight of this season's collection are heels that would be daring and adventurous, and have lots of fun elements included in the heel's silhouette like eclectic shapes and series of metallic balls. Blahnik may not be present during the opening of the store but he is most likely to visit Saudi Arabia next year. __
