Fashion Wire Daily March 22, 2005 - NEW YORK - Heidi Hollingsworth of Austin, Texas got a very sweet Valentine's Day gift this year when she received a box of Godiva chocolates from her father. When she opened the box up, she discovered that she had won the grand prize in a Godiva's Valentine's Day promotion sure to knock any young woman silly. Godiva and Manolo Blahnik granted her a year's supply of luxury chocolates and shoes, 52 boxes and 52 pairs.
But opening the package and seeing the announcement of her award was not enough to fully believe it. She called her mom. She showed it to her boyfriend. Because she made her discovery on the Friday evening before President's Day, Hollingsworth had to wait through a three-day weekend until Godiva's office opened. When she finally reached Godiva, they invited her to New York to make the prize a reality.
Monday afternoon at the Manolo Blahnik boutique on 54th Street Hollingsworth found herself surrounded by a fort of Blahnik shoes and shoeboxes, expensive shoes, companion purses and Godiva's signature golden boxes.
"Godiva and Manolo complement each other I think, both evoke aphrodisia, luxury, indulgence," said Manolo Blahnik president George Malkemus, explaining the impact he sought by teaming up with a chocolatier.
A representative of Godiva noted that both companies have devout brand loyalty in the marketplace.
Hollingsworth's father, who purchased the winning box of chocolates, had bought Godiva chocolates for his wife and three daughters every Valentines Day for nine years without fail.
"Chocolates are what a lady wants as a gift from someone. That's why it's so important for Valentine's Day. Shoes are what a girl wants to buy for herself. They mark decisions. A girl buys shoes when she meets a man, when she leaves a man, loses something, tries for something, everything," said Malkemus.
Hollingsworth appeared to take real delight in the shopping spree, eating chocolates and squealing at shoes that seemed especially exquisite or perfect for someone she knew.
"All my sisters wear my shoe size," Hollingsworth considered, "and my mom does too. And I have cousin that just had a baby. I like nice clothes but these [Manolos] were a little out of reach for me, so I'm totally happy to just have a few pairs."
