Footwear label Manolo Blahnik has formed a joint venture with luxury brand operator Bluebell Group to expand its footprint into Hong Kong. 

Designed by Nick Leith-Smith Architecture and Design, Manolo Blahnik’s first store in the territory in partnership with the Bluebell Group has opened at the Lee Gardens shopping mall. Two additional boutiques are scheduled to open later this year, including a boutique in Pacific Place shopping centre. 

The company said the Hong Kong launch would further support Manolo Blahnik in its wider strategic growth plans in Asia Pacific. Before Hong Kong, Bluebell Group launched the Manolo Blahnik brand in other Asian markets, including Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. 

“Bluebell Group has been our established partner since 2016,” said Kristina Blahnik, CEO of Manolo Blahnik. “The mutual trust we have in each other has given us this wonderful new opportunity to enhance our offering in Hong Kong and tell the incredibly rich story of our heritage and craft.”

Manolo Blahnik is distributed in more than 300 doors globally with points of sale in 30 countries. The brand has 20 standalone boutiques, including two recent openings in New York. 

“We are confident that the people of Hong Kong will continue to embrace Manolo Blahnik’s unique blend of craftsmanship and creativity,” said Samy Redjeb, MD at Bluebell Greater China, who will be overseeing the brand’s operations in Hong Kong. 

Bluebell Group brings Acne Studios to Taiwan last October.