As the Spanish footwear brand launches its Manolo’s Silhouettes capsule, Kristina Blahnik tells us about her lifelong love affair with shoes and how she’s moving the Manolo Blahnik legacy forward.
“I really was born in a shoebox; one of my earliest memories is from when I was about eight years old, sitting on my uncle’s lap and watching him design shoes,” recounts Kristina Blahnik. While many of us have played dress up in our mother’s too-big-for-us heels, not many can say they’ve pranced around awkwardly in Blahniks—and certainly not in the presence of the iconic designer himself. To Kristina, the 81-year-old Manolo Blahnik is more than a fashion visionary — he is her uncle and a paternal figure who imparted to her the values of craftsmanship, tradition and creativity.
Photo: Courtesy of Manolo Blahnik
A former architect, Kristina unexpectedly pivoted into the family business when she took over its production logistics for one season. In this fortunate twist of events that sparked her passion for the industry, she proceeded to spend several years learning everything about the company, and eventually assumed the role as chief executive officer in 2013.
Photo: Courtesy of Manolo Blahnik
Equipped with a sharp business acumen and a bold collaborative spirit, she looks back on some of the most fulfilling projects she’s spearheaded since being with the company. “Opening the pop-up at Liberty’s in 2010 was one of the craziest things I’ve ever done. My architecture practice designed it, and we made lots of special products for it—and all in just 10 months,” she reveals. Other noteworthy partnerships over the years include a highly coveted capsule with pop icon Rihanna, as well as collections with Vetements and Birkenstock. Kristina has since steered the storied Spanish label into a novel direction— one that effortlessly fuses tradition and innovation. “We like to experiment with new shapes and fabrications alongside the classic styles that we offer. For me it is all about taking our time and trusting our gut feelings,” shares Kristina.
Photo: Courtesy of Manolo Blahnik
Just recently, the brand unveiled its Manolo’s Silhouettes campaign which shines the spotlight back on its most timeless designs. The edit features six signature styles: The BB, Maysale, Mary Jane, Chaos, Susa and Carolyne. When asked about her personal favourite, Kristina picked the sophisticated Maysale, a low-heeled mule that has been worn by icons ranging from Madonna to Marge Simpson. “I wear it pretty much everywhere—on walks, to work, to dinner. It just fits so nicely into my wardrobe,” she says.
In a notable departure from model-driven storytelling, luxury brands appear to be pivoting towards product-focused campaigns this holiday season. Instead of featuring high-profile personalities or being fronted by familiar-faced models, these campaigns centre the spotlight squarely on the items themselves — from luxurious handbags and shoes to intricately designed pieces. This approach not only simplifies messaging but also underscores the cultural relevance of understated luxury and pragmatic consumerism.
Product-Focused Festive Campaigns
Balenciaga’s 2024 Gift campaign exemplifies the power of highlighting “hero products”, by not only reintroducing Maison favourites like the Balenciaga Le City bag from 2001 but also connecting the consumer directly with their offerings and in doing so, they redefine the way luxury is perceived and consumed. By removing the inclusion of a model or celebrity, luxury brands could be making a marketing pivot by aiming to democratise aspiration without diluting exclusivity.
Similarly, Celine’s EOY 2024 Campaign features an array of the label’s classic pieces including the Celine 16 Bag, the Celine Triomphe Bag, the Celine Nino Bag and the Celine Clara Bucket Bag. These end-of-year campaigns highlight hero pieces while also affirming the House’s signature aesthetic and exceptional leather craftsmanship. One will find that the collection features canvas designs that celebrate Celine’s historic monogram — a link motif first revealed in 1972 inspired by the chain encircling the Arc de Triomphe — complemented by the now famed Triomphe hardware, which remains a hallmark of the brand’s identity.
While Balenciaga and Celine opted for a direct, almost minimalist approach to their campiagns, Roger Vivier’s 2024 Holiday Season Campaign embraced the festive season by showcasing both signature designs and new releases. Here, Roger Vivier exemplifies the art of emotional storytelling through objects. By focusing on the product set against an instantly recognisable vintage-inspired festive background, the brand encourage consumers to project their personal stories onto the item. The Maison’s Efflorescence jewel bags and shoes are a nod to celebratory winter evenings while the unveiling of a brand-new mule, featuring the classic crystal flower-encrusted buckle celebrates the joy of gifting.
LOEWE’s holiday campaign is a celebration of imagination and craft; handmade scenes will bring the collection’s whimsical characters to life in animated and transportive festive windows complete with twinkling lights. Creative Director Jonathan Anderson has collaborated once again with Kyoto-based ceramists Suna Fujita, creating original illustrations and ceramics inspired by childlike dreamscapes. Playful creatures, such as octopuses, squid, whales, bunnies, and hamsters, are featured on bags, ready-to-wear, and accessories, brought to life through intricate leather marquetry and vibrant colours. Mesmerising holiday facades and a handcrafted, mechanical puppet film, draw inspiration from fantasy, memory and the wonders of the natural world.
Accessibility Meets Aspiration
The fashion industry excels at marketing desire, and brands are increasingly weaving relatable moments into their storytelling, moving away from purely aspirational narratives. While Hollywood stars remain timeless symbols of cultural influence, many brands are shifting focus to more accessible, everyday scenarios. By striking a delicate balance with campaigns that feature models who are both beautiful and approachable — brand from Dolce & Gabbana to xx are walking the fine line between aspirational and relatable. Dolce & Gabbana’s glitzy holiday campaign saw models dressed in an imaginative assortment of Dolce & Gabbana’s recent holiday collection donning shimmering textures like lamé jersey, thermostrass mesh, sequins and exquisite details convey the magic of the festive season.
Golden Goose on the other hand, captures the essence of individuality and unapologetic togetherness with Golden Club — a dreamlike world where rebellious characters come together to embrace their wildest desires. Nostalgic references to the ’90s are seen with dazzling crystals and sharp tailoring intermingle with delicate knits and velvet sets, all punctuated by bold eyelets, metalware, and vintage silver detailing. Here, Golden Goose’s psychedelic campaign reimagines the festive season as a celebration of boundless togetherness and a sense of belonging that transcends time and space.
Valentino’s holiday campaign exudes opulence, set against a backdrop of shimmering light that captures a story of celebration and joy. The scene is filled with dazzling looks and signature Valentino Garavani accessories, evoking the magic of a memorable winter evening. The campaign, part of the #ValentinoAvantLesDébuts collection which showcases the Maison’s maximalist aesthetic under the creative direction of Alessandro Michele, with photography and direction by Glen Luchford. Whether it’s a festive gathering or a holiday-themed adventure, these narratives resonate more deeply when they mirror real-life experiences. By inviting consumers to see themselves within the “fantasy,” the fashion industry is embracing a marketing evolution that reflects not just strategic shifts but a broader cultural movement celebrating the beauty of the everyday.
Rise of Luxury Petwear
Pets are often seen as cherished family members and brands are capitalising on this emotional bond. By offering stylish, well-crafted home & decor and pet apparel, they appeal to consumers who want to pamper their pets and showcase their devotion. MCM and Burberry have both unveiled holiday campaigns featuring pets further strengthening emotional connections between the brand and the consumer.
If home is at the heart of festive moments, then Burberry’s curated gifts are guaranteed to to tug at heartstrings while capturing the seasonal mood with warmth and joy. Under the creative direction of Daniel Lee, the collection includes wool cashmere cushions and blankets woven in Scotland, adorned with the iconic Burberry Check. The festive offerings also feature cheerful wool stockings in a seasonal check, perfect for adding a touch of festive spirit. Embracing the tradition of gift-giving, Burberry has launched a tea towel set featuring hand-drawn illustrations of classic British dishes, from beef Wellington to Eton mess and mince pies. Crafted from linen cotton, these tea towels evoke the charm of family recipes passed down through generations, offering both practicality and nostalgic sentiment.
MCM also taps into the growing luxury pet market with offerings to ‘help’ humans pick out gifts for their four-legged companions. Men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, shoes and bags are all featured, as well as items from MCM’s permanent pet collection such as beds, food bowls, leashes and harnesses. These items play a key role in the broader narrative of holiday campaigns, often appearing in heartwarming, celebratory settings alongside pets. They also offer a taste of luxury at a relatively accessible price point, making them an ideal entry-level purchase for new consumers.
Pragmatic Luxury
One could argue that the focus on products rather than aspirational lifestyles in this season’s campaigns highlights a shift towards pragmatism and intentional consumerism. As luxury brands embrace relatability and authenticity, they are responding to the growing demand for meaningful connections over unattainable fantasies. By placing products and reality-driven at the forefront alongside crafting stories that resonate with real-life experiences, these campaigns not only reflect current consumer values but also redefine what it means to indulge and gifting in luxury during the festive season.
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Bullying has always been a painful trial for many, a shadow over formative years. But the bullying I experienced growing up in a small French town is nothing compared to what young people face today online. Back then, bullying had physical and social limits. Today, it has no boundaries and no end.
A Personal Experience of Bullying
As a child growing up in a small French town, I became the target of relentless teasing and bullying, even though I had done nothing to provoke it. My father’s sister had married the son of the casino owner — a prominent figure in the community. Despite the fact that this connection had nothing to do with my family directly, we were unfairly labeled as “the rich ones.” This misplaced judgment fueled resentment, ridicule, and, eventually, bullying.
At school and in the community, I faced teasing, insults, and even physical confrontations. Yet, there was a key difference between bullying then and now: back then, there was a way to confront it. Every time I stood up to my bullies — even if I lost a fight — it sent a clear message that I wouldn’t be an easy target. And, in most cases, that was enough to put a stop to it. Bullying, though painful, had an endpoint.
Credit: Morgan Bashan | Unsplash
Why This Is No Longer Possible
Today, online bullying eliminates the possibility of resolution. Social media platforms provide a stage where harassment can continue anonymously, relentlessly, and publicly. Unlike physical confrontations, which naturally end, online attacks are amplified with every like, comment, or share. The victim has no way to stand up and say, “Enough,” because bullies hide behind screens, and their audience only magnifies the cruelty.
The Unique Dangers of Online Bullying
Online bullying is crueler than what I experienced in two key ways:
Permanence: An insult or rumour on social media doesn’t disappear. It remains accessible, visible, and can resurface at any time, forcing victims to relive their humiliation repeatedly.
Amplification: Where a confrontation at school was witnessed by a handful of people, an online attack can reach thousands within minutes. The shame becomes public and global.
Credit: Glenn Carstens | Unsplash
The Responsibility of Platforms and Legislation
Governments, like Australia recently, are trying to address the issue by introducing laws such as prohibiting children under 16 from accessing social media. While well-meaning, these laws are challenging to enforce. Meanwhile, platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat must also take responsibility by better moderating their content, protecting vulnerable users, and limiting abuse of their tools. They have a duty of care to ensure their platforms are not breeding grounds for harm.
What Can We Do?
To combat online bullying, we must adopt a collective approach:
Governments: Strengthen laws to protect vulnerable users.
Platforms: Develop robust tools to detect and eliminate toxic behaviours.
Parents and Schools: Teach children how to protect themselves online, while fostering empathy and understanding of consequences.
Conclusion
The bullying I faced was harsh, but it had limits. Today, with social media, those limits are gone. Tackling online bullying requires a global effort where everyone — lawmakers, platforms, educators, and parents — plays a vital role. Together, we can transform these digital tools, designed to connect people, into safe spaces where cruelty has no place.
Venice sparkles during the festive season, and no place captures its magic better than Hotel Danieli. From cozy afternoon teas to a dazzling New Year’s Eve gala, the hotel offers an unparalleled holiday experience steeped in elegance and tradition.
Afternoon Tea: A Festive Indulgence
Hotel Danieli, VeniceHotel Danieli, Venice
The Dandolo Lounge sets the stage with an opulent afternoon tea featuring Venetian-inspired pastries, including handcrafted pandoro and panettone. Paired with spiced hot chocolate or a glass of Prosecco, it’s the perfect way to bask in the season’s warmth.
Christmas Eve Dinner: A Culinary Celebration
Hotel Danieli, VeniceHotel Danieli, Venice
At Terrazza Danieli, Christmas Eve dinner begins with delicate creamed snapper and citrus, followed by pumpkin cappellacci with striped prawns and radicchio. A golden-crusted wild sea bass with fennel variations highlights the main course, while port-poached pear with hazelnut cheesecake and homemade holiday cakes provide a sweet finale.
Christmas Day Lunch: A Feast to Remember
Hotel Danieli, Venice
Christmas Day is marked by a festive lunch where Treviso radicchio risotto and stuffed guinea fowl with black truffle steal the show. A bright white chocolate parfait with yuzu offers a fresh finish, while pandoro and panettone tie the meal to cherished Italian traditions.
New Year’s Eve Gala: A Night of Opulence
Hotel Danieli, Venice
Ring in the New Year at the gala dinner, featuring luxurious dishes like blue lobster with white truffle, John Dory with Calvisius caviar, and Venetian cuttlefish in cassopipa. Fireworks over the Grand Canal add unforgettable magic, while the midnight toast with lenticchie e cotechino promises prosperity.
New Year’s Day Brunch: A Lavish Start
Hotel Danieli, VeniceHotel Danieli, Venice
The year begins with a grand brunch, offering everything from fresh pasta with seafood to Amarone-glazed beef. Indulgent desserts like Danieli Tiramisù and the famed Sachertorte complete the celebration.
The Essence of Venetian Holidays
Hotel Danieli, VeniceHotel Danieli, Venice
Hotel Danieli’s festive offerings capture the spirit of Venice at its finest. Whether savoring afternoon tea or toasting the New Year, every moment promises unforgettable memories.
Designed in-house by Jarkko Jämsén, the Arrow reaches 27 knots with two 1,000hp engines and 37 knots with three.
From its high-performance ClubSwan boats that dominate the race course to its Swan Maxi superyachts that marry comfort and seaworthiness, the name Nautor Swan is synonymous with sailing prowess in yachting circles. However, the Finnish shipyard took a new tack in recent years. In 2021, it introduced its power boat range, now led by the newly launched flagship, the 23.2m Swan Arrow.
With sleek exteriors, an indoor/outdoor deckhouse that can be entirely air-conditioned for use in balmy Asian waters, a comfortable interior with multiple layout options, and an extendable cockpit platform that puts guests close to the water, the Swan Arrow seems to have hit a bullseye.
The Arrow has classic Swan DNA, with a plumb bow reminiscent of the brand’s sailing yachts.
If a Swan sailing yacht is going to compete in the racing circuit, it only makes sense to have a worthy chase boat to support it. The initial Swan powerboat offerings were the 13.2m Swan Shadow, followed up by the 13m OverShadow, a sportier version with inboard engines, which debuted at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2023. Both feature sleek exteriors by Jarkko Jämsén, Swan’s resident Motor Yacht Division designer.
When Nautor Swan started designing its first powerboat, the builder envisioned it simply being a beautiful chase boat to go alongside its Swan sailboats, but the response after the launch proved there was an appetite for a standalone dayboat under the Nautor Swan marque – whether owners had a Swan sailing yacht or not. As the chase boat/dayboat market is growing, it was only natural that a bigger version would be in the cards.
The split-level main deck culminates in an extending swim platform.
Leonardo Ferragamo, Nautor Swan President, said: “We thought they both needed a bigger sister, and the market was pushing us in this direction. This is how Swan Arrow was born, strongly enhancing the unique identity that we have created in our powerboats that embody the core elements of Nautor Swan’s iconic DNA: performance, quality, elegance.”
However, the Swan Arrow is no mere chase boat, but a luxe dayboat that can also welcome guests comfortably for overnight stays. Jämsén was called upon once again to create the exterior of the Swan Arrow, while Axel de Beaufort and JPM Design’s Ioanna Marinopoulos were responsible for the interior design of hull number one.
Folding bulwarks drop to create a 50sqm beach area
The brief to the designers was to create a sporty yet elegant yacht with a contemporary design, refined lines and voluminous interiors. It should be an ‘open’ yacht that is still well suited to extended cruising in all climates.
The timeless, elegant exterior of the Arrow has strong classical Swan DNA with a plumb bow that is reminiscent of its sailing yachts. Jämsén aimed to keep the exterior lines as clean and pure as possible, and the sleek, seakindly hull is topped by a glass-encircled superstructure and a sharply raked windscreen.
Fabio Marcellino, Power Boats Chief Technical & Operations Officer at Nautor Group, explained: “The aesthetic request was to have a low windshield but a closed and protected front area. We designed the front glass in two colours: black in the lower part and ultra-clear in the upper part, all in one piece of glass, so no junctions are visible.”
The ‘open yacht’ is well suited to extended cruising in all climates
This design trick creates excellent sightlines for the captain while maintaining a sleek exterior profile. Jämsén answered the last item in the brief by creating a glass-enclosed superstructure, which can be entirely open to the elements or closed off like a typical main saloon you might find on a larger yacht.
“Everybody wants to have an open boat, but when the weather is too hot or cold or windy, you’d really like to be able to close it down, so we wanted an open boat feeling but one that you can enclose and have a solid structure,” Jämsén said. “You can blast the A/C and have the comfort of the cabin boat, but with the possibility to spend time outside.”
The full-height doors slide open and windows at the side descend to open the Arrow right up. “The doors at the stern and the side slide open and stack on top of each other – all six panels rest against the mullion,” Jämsén said.
This creates a seamless effect, so when the boat is in open mode you don’t notice the doors at all, and she feels truly open with a lovely cross breeze from three sides. There were classification challenges to make this glass superstructure a reality, Marcellino notes.
“One challenge that arose during the build was dealing with the notified body to get the main deck [registered] as completely an ‘open deck’,” he said. “We solved this task by designing in a new and unconventional way that the deck traps water.”
The helm is partitioned by a bar counter to the fore of the saloon
Another of the innovations on board is the split-level main deck, which culminates in a big, extending platform just three steps down from the main saloon. The beach-club platform is nearly 5m long and, when the bulwarks are extended, 7m wide, creating an expansive area for on-water living. The opening terraces create a beach area of about 50sqm, which Marcellino described as “a real terrace on the sea”.
Nautor Swan sought to hide as much technical equipment as possible, so the mooring equipment in the beach area is covered when not in use, as is the mooring winch on the bow. Sleekly integrated utilitarian features are plentiful elsewhere, too. There are flush cleats and fairleads, a hidden anchor, hidden wipers on the windshield, and hidden curtains in the saloon.
The bar area off the lower-deck galley
For the interior, Marinopoulos was involved from the outset. “It was a thrilling challenge to merge aesthetics with performance and create something with a strong personality that was luxurious yet approachable,” said the Greek designer.
“The interior of the Arrow is a combination of timeless elegance with a touch of casual approach and a splash of bespoke nautical details. As the main deck was designed to be completely open to the surrounding seascape, my goal was to connect the upper and lower decks without making them feel like two separate areas.”
Honduras mahogany in a high-gloss lacquer for the furniture of hull one
The result is an elegant, casual beach villa atmosphere where one can connect to the sea and feel relaxed. Marinopoulos achieved this by utilising soft cotton fabrics and organic raffia wallpaper on the walls, creating a luxurious but cosy ambience below decks. Honduran mahogany in a high-gloss lacquer gives a rich look to the furniture.
This is paired by natural and sustainable Indonesian teak for floorings, polished nickel for all the metal elements and linen fabric for the upholstered fixed panels. Camel-coloured leather and soft cotton fabrics enhance the visual appeal. All the light fixtures on board are designed by Marinopoulos, while two fixtures on the desk in the master cabin are inspired by traditional maritime lights.
The standard layout has a full-beam owner’s cabin aft (pictured) and a VIP forward
“The combination of nickel and wood serves as a striking foundation, beautifully balancing masculinity and comfort,” she said. “One cool innovation that I particularly enjoyed is the use of nickel metal to join the flooring, as opposed to the typical teak deck rubber. This unique choice captures attention at first sight.”
Hull one showcases the standard layout, which has a full-beam owner’s cabin aft and a VIP cabin forward. Amidships is a lounge and galley. On an optional lower-deck layout, the lounge can be closed off to become a third guest cabin with twin beds.
Marinopoulos designed all interior light fixtures including the two maritime-inspired desk lights in the master cabin
It should go without saying, but like all Swans, the Arrow is a born performer. “The way Arrow cruises is outstanding – fast, dry, stable and very well trimmed,” Marcellino said. She can be powered by twin 1,000hp engines for a top speed of 27 knots, or go all out by adding a third engine to reach 37 knots.
Nautor Swan might be known for its sailing craft, but after the Swan Arrow, the builder seems to be on a straight shot for success in the motoryacht sector, too.
