Women’s shoe retailer Manolo Blahnik Malaysia has launched its first store, in Pavilion KL.

The 95 sqm store is part of an Asia expansion plan that includes the refurbishment of its Singapore store at Takashimaya, as well as the launch of a flagship store in Tokyo next year. The brand is partnering with retailer Bluebell Group on the projects.

Founder Manolo Blahnik, who opened his first shop in Chelsea in London in 1973, was born in the Canary Islands to a Spanish mother and Czech father. He studied languages and art in Geneva before moving to Paris in 1965, where he became a set designer.

On a visit to New York in 1970, he showed his theatre designs to Diana Vreeland, then editor-in-chief of American Vogue, who encouraged him to concentrate on his shoe designs.

Blahnik learnt the art of making shoes by visiting factories, and by 1971 was in London making shoes.