Saks Fifth Avenue tries on some Manolos

Saks Fifth Avenue's New York flagship is targeting upscale shoe lovers with a historic partnership.

For the first time, the Manolo Blahnik brand will join Saks New York's famed 10022-SHOE designer shoe salon on Eight with a permanent boutique, one of the largest Manolo Blahnik boutiques in the world. Saks Fifth Avenue plans to celebrate the occasion with New York windows, exclusive Manolo Blahnik footwear, the launch of Blahnik's new book Fleeting Gestures and Obsessions and companywide events, including a rare, in-store appearance by the designer at his Saks New York boutique in September.

"Manolo Blahnik is a footwear legend. We proudly welcome his brand to our New York flagship," saidTracy Margolies, CMO at Saks Fifth Avenue. "This partnership signifies yet another milestone in Saks Fifth Avenue's continued evolution into a globalluxury retail destination."

At approximately 760 square feet, the boutique is comprised of two rooms custom-designed by the Saks design team in collaboration with Manolo Blahnik.The first room represents a sophisticated woman's boudoir enveloped by walls and walls of shoes with a large antique Murano glass chandelier as its centerpiece. Custom metal and mother-of-pearl screens seamlessly transition customers from the boudoir into the sitting room featuring a Venetian glass-mirrored focal wall.

Saks Fifth Avenue is also launching a campaign to invite shoppers around the world to follow the New York Manolo Blahnik launch (#saks #10022shoe) and to connect via social media channels for insider access to Blahnik's personal appearance at the Saks New York flagship.