Rihanna’s Limited-Edition Capsule Collection With Manolo Blahnik Crashes Website [Video]

The much-anticipated Rihanna and Manolo Blahnik limited edition capsule collection launched on Thursday. However, the footwear collaboration has caused the project’s dedicated microsite to crash several times. Launched in New York, London and Hong Kong, a limited number of 400 pairs were stocked within each of the stores.

In addition, the website is taking special orders that will be delivered with a sketch signed by Rihanna and the legendary shoe designer Blahnik. The brand however, has not provided the sales figures or traffic numbers. Kristina Blahnik told WWD that sales have been “steady and constant” worldwide, “which is what we expected of a luxury, high-value product and the more-considered purchaser.”

“In fact, when we went live on our microsite, it crashed a few times. It was all up and running again, but the volume of traffic was so high that it has taken us a little bit aback,” she said. She added that the collaboration was more of a fun and pop project rather than a consumer-driven exercise.

There are six limited edition pieces in her new collection featuring a selection of sandals, pumps and boots. The singer’s Spring/Summer 2016 shoe collection is inspired by her hand tattoos. Each shoe is artfully fashioned with denim, sequins and artisan embroidery.

The denim-driven collection, Rihanna x Manolo Blahnik Denim Desserts ranges from $940 to $3,995. Blahnik said the strongest sales have been on the e-commerce platform, “which further proves Manolo and Rihanna’s global reach." They have even sold a pair in Vietnam. Besides, there has also been a rise in the seasonal fashion collection sold online.

Blahnik plans to open a shop-in-shops in London at Selfridges, and is focusing on expansion into Asia, including in Matsuya, Japan, this year. Besides, the eponymous shoe label also plans a shop-in-shops at Hankyu in Osaka.