Manolo Blahnik for J. Crew

Manolo Blahnik is rolling with a new Crew. The luxury footwear label teamed up with J.Crew for the specialty retailer’s fall ’12 fashion presentation, held Tuesday in New York. George Malkemus, president of Manolo Blahnik USA, said told Footwear News the collaboration was months in the making and began when J.Crew President Jenna Lyons “fell in love” with Blahnik’s popular BB style.

 For the show, J.Crew chose to reimagine the single-sole pointy-toe pump in 41 different ways, with glitter, suede and a variety of colorful fabrications culled from its apparel line.

While Blahnik often works with ready-to-wear designers, including Carolina Herrera and Zac Posen, this is the first time the brand has ventured outside the luxury realm.

“It’s a way of bringing high and low together,” said Malkemus. “This is the way modern women dress today, and nobody does it better than J.Crew.”

 Though details are still being worked out, Malkemus said the shoes are expected to sell online and in select J.Crew stores under the Blahnik name, for $595 to $645. The actual release date has not yet been finalized.

(WWD)