Discover Manolo Blahnik's First-Ever Collaboration With Balenciaga

A tribute to Spanish heritage and unwavering dedication to craftsmanship.

Published: January 19, 2026

Manolo Blahnik & Balenciaga's Announces Their First-Ever Collaboration — Photo: Courtesy of Manolo Blahnik

For over five decades, Manolo Blahnik has stood as one of fashion's most devoted and luxurious cordwainers. Now, the brand is collaborating with Balenciaga for the first time ever. Debuting as part of Balenciaga's fall 2026 collection, the partnership is shaped by a mutual reverence for couture. It was driven by the creative vision of Pierpaolo Piccioli, whose tenure at Balenciaga has been marked by a design-centric approach inspired by the legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga himself.

At its core, the collaboration is a dialogue between two renowned designers who are united by a similar design sensibility. Blahnik and Balenciaga both share Spanish roots which has manifested into the trio of shoe styles: A low-heeled mule and two slingbacks, offered in both 50mm and 105mm. Rendered in silk satin and lined in Balenciaga's signature grey, the shoes are offered in a palette that feels elegant and timeless. Crystal embroidery traces the low-cut vamp of each shoe, recalling Blahnik's jewel-like approach to footwear, while nodding to the bijoux created by Cristóbal Balenciaga in the 1960s.

For Blahnik, this collaboration is extremely personal. “Don Cristóbal Balenciaga is, to me, the ultimate designer. I have adored his work for as long as I can remember. As a Mediterranean boy myself, I have always felt a deep connection to his Spanish culture and sensibility. To be partnering with Balenciaga, and with Pierpaolo, fulfils a lifelong dream," he says.