Manolo Blahnik cuts ties with US partner after 37 years

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Apr 9, 2019

President of Manolo Blahnik USA George Malkemus, as well as the company's vice president, Anthony Yurgaitis, have announced the end of their longtime partnership with the Manolo Blahnik brand.

Malkemus said that the license will not be renewed as a result of Kristina Blahnik Hulsebus, the Spanish designer’s niece and CEO of the international business, along with her in-house counsel, offering unacceptable terms, according to Footwear News.

Malkemus has overseen the Britain-based company's U.S. business for the last 37 years, growing the luxury shoe brand through partnerships including television series 'Sex and the City', which boosted brand recognition for the shoe company in the U.S.

Within the U.S., the Manolo Blahnik brand is sold at retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. In addition, Manolo Blahnik USA operates a Manhattan store at 31 West 54th Street.

Apart from Manolo Blahnik, Malkemus works together with Sex and the City star, Sarah Jessica Parker, on her line of footwear, the SJP Collection.

In matters outside of the U.S., the shoe company announced earlier this year that it plans to open a Parisian boutique in Palais-Royal this fall.