Kristina Blahnik: CEO of Manolo Blahnik

Kristina Blahnik is the CEO of Manolo Blahnik. As the niece of acclaimed designer Manolo Blahnik, she grew up in the family business but never intended to work in it. Instead, Kristina studied architecture at the University of Cambridge and eventually had a practice of her own, where she worked for just under 10 years. In 2009 when her uncle Manolo Blahnik couldn't travel to the factories to develop the brand's new collection, Kristina stepped in and joined the family business full time. In 2013, she assumed the role of CEO, a position that she maintains to this day—although she prefers the title of "creative strategist." Since coming on board, she has expanded the business from two boutiques to 20, grown the Manolo Blahnik team from 26 people to over 250, and spearheaded major collaborations with brands such as Birkenstock and Balenciaga.