Top shoe designer steps out in style in new market

While some may question why his shoes garner such high acclaim, given the era of mass-produced mechanization, Manolo has effectively preserved the art of handcrafted shoemaking, making it less surprising to appreciate his craftsmanship.

"Manolo doesn't see himself as a fashion designer. He just sees himself, as he calls himself, as a cobbler. He is creative, and he just lets his creativity come out in a shoe," Kristina commented on her uncle.

According to Kristina, Manolo visited China in the late 1990s with his first digital camera, capturing thousands of photos. The influence of China can be seen in his collections from that period, spanning the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In 1997, the influential model Guinevere van Seenus wore a pair of Manolo Blahnik designs inspired by the Chinese dragon. Then, in the winter collection of 1999, the pieces China and Noli were unveiled, highlighting the traditional craft of embroidery.

"I think Manolo's fascination and my fascination with China has always been present in some shape or form, and it's the cultural references, it's the artifacts, it's the details ... There's so much already that Manolo has translated into his shoes over the last 54 years.

"From the archives, we could pull dozens of styles that have been inspired by China, from all parts of it, all regions of it. So it isn't a new thing, it's an existing passion, which is why we've been so focused on ensuring that we can open here by being able to tell our story," said Kristina.