EXCLUSIVE: Malone Souliers Taps Former Manolo Blahnik Exec Andrew Wright for CEO Post

Malone Souliers is turning to a proven footwear executive to help fuel growth at a pivotal time.

The London-based brand — founded by Mary Alice Malone in 2014 — has named former Manolo Blahnik executive Andrew Wright as its new CEO, effective immediately. Wright spent eight years at Blahnik, where he was most recently president of the Americas, and previously global chief commercial officer. (Former Malone Souliers CEO Steven Hope exited the company last year.)

“The future for this business is exceptionally bright and full of opportunity as we look to build on the existing strong foundations,” Wright said. “ and I share a lot of synergies. I have such an affinity with this product — it’s timeless and elegant. It’s a brand that people go back to again and again.”

For Malone, Wright’s appointment is a critical piece of her vision for the brand — to create compelling product that is commercial and can resonate with retailers globally.

“If you love the product, you have to fall in the love with the whole process — the making, the manufacturing, the selling, the sell throughs, right down to the customer,” Malone said. “Everything is an opportunity when you’re willing to work with the whole process.”

With both executives based in the U.S., the American market will be a major priority going forward. One of the first orders of business is opening a New York showroom, just off Bryant Park, in time for the December footwear market. “It gives us more flexibility to meet people on their own timeline. Buyers are so stretched,” Wright said. “Now we will be able to showcase who we are as a brand 52 weeks a year.” (Malone Souliers also shows in Paris each season.)

The label already has a solid foothold stateside, where it’s stocked across all three of Saks Globals’ nameplates — Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. During a time of retail disruption, Wright believes partnership and differentiation is critical for success.

To that end, the executives plan to work more closely with their Italian factories to build distinct product for each of their important retailers globally. Outside of the U.S. and the U.K., the Middle East is sizable for Malone Souliers. And the team believes the Japanese market, Tokyo specifically, represents a big opportunity going forward.

As they plot new growth, Wright and Malone relish their time on the factory floor, and Wright is in Italy this week immersing himself in the brand’s production operations. “The factory is where you get a real sense of things — walking around and looking at different skins and techniques, and the attention to detail,” said Wright, who began his career at Ralph Lauren and spent five years at Louis Vuitton.

Malone Souliers is emphasizing customization and differentiation through its made-to-order program. It’s already offered to clients who shop Malone Souliers’ shop-in-shop at Shoe Heaven in Harrods, and the brand is also seeing interest from clients shopping its website, an important showcase.

“The key here is folding the client into the creative process in a way that excites her and helps meet her evolving product needs,” Wright said.

Malone, who works alongside co-creative directors Coco Fong and Valerio Bava, said handbags are a growing part of the business — and Wright will also be charged with expanding the reach of the category.

“His exceptional leadership experience, global perspective, and deep industry knowledge will be instrumental as we continue to expand our presence and strengthen our brand worldwide,” she said.