Sole Man ~

I believe each of us can agree that we have a love affair with Christian Louboutin.  His red-soled shoes that is!  The native parisian designer has become an icon, his designs capturing the eye, and hearts, of women everywhere. 

                                       Louboutin designed shoes for Barbie’s 50th birthday                                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
 I can’t explain it, the moment I slip on a pair I immediately feel more glamorous and feminine.  I’ve always loved stilettos ~ the higher the heel, the better.  The quality, comfort and sex appeal of Louboutin’s designs speak volumes.                    

 Most designers learn their craft from the ateliers of more seasoned designers, but Louboutin found his calling as a 17 yr old apprentice in the dressing rooms of Paris’ famous cabaret Folies Bergère.  “I would watch the girls going up and down the stairs with these very heavy headdresses on, and they never looked at their shoes,” he says. “That’s where I learned that shoes are all about posture and proportion.”  Once designing for Chanel, Roger Vivier, YSL, Charles Jourdan and Maud Frizon before opening his first boutique in 1991.  He still runs his business from that same Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau address today.                                     

However, it wasn’t until 1992 that Louboutin’s dazzling designs incorporated the shiny, red-lacquered soles that have become his signature.  This happened by accident as he felt the shoes lacked energy so he applied an employees red nail varnish to the sole of the shoe.  It was such a success that it became a permanent fixture.
Louboutin helped bring Stiletto’s back into fashion.  I immediately fell in deep love with Louboutin’s when I saw the SATC episode “I Heart NY”.  Carrie paused when she saw the pink chiffon cascade heels in the boutique window.  She wore them on her last date with Big before he moved to Napa.  Oh, how I loved those shoes! 
Louboutin partnered with Jean-Francois Lesage of the famed french embroidery house Lesage to create an exclusive line inspired by Marie Antoinette.  There were only 36 pairs of this extravagant shoe made in colours yellow, pink and blue.  Each pair came in their own specially created box.  These little treasures sold for $6,295 per pair. 
                                          Marie Antoinette                              
Louboutin found the inspiration for his lethal-looking stilettos from an incident that occured in his early twenties.  Upon entering a museum, he noticed a sign that forbade women to enter while wearing sharp stilettos, for fear of damage to the estensive wood flooring.  “I wanted to defy that”, Louboutin has said.  “I wanted to create something that broke the rules and made women feel confident and empowered.” 
Louboutin also draws his inspiration from his passion for art, history and the world around him, including his own garden.  Louboutin’s distinctive red creations originally have roots back to the french court of King Louis XIV, in the 17th century.  The king wore red soles which were known to draw attention to his legs and calves whilst dancing.  Such was their popularity that he declared that only members of his court were able to wear red-soled shoes, a priviledge for the elite aristocracy.
Louboutin inspires a manicure 
Louboutin launched his own champagne in partnership with champagne house Piper Heidsieck.  To commemorate, they released a limited edition Le Rituel box set.  The ritual, dating back to the 1880’s, is emblematic of Europe at it’s peak ~ drinking from the shoe of a woman.  The crystal heel stiletto designed by Louboutin has the signature red sole. 
Le Rituel
Christian Louboutin offers a luxurious line of handbags as well

                                     
                                                    
Christian Louboutin has topped The Luxury Institute’s annual Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) for three years; his designs were declared the Most Prestigious Women’s Shoes in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Louboutin and Laduree
I purchased these whilst in Paris ~ they were delightful!
Many of Louboutin’s styles are 120mm (4.72″) and higher.  The designer’s professional goal is to “make a woman look sexy, beautiful, to make her legs look as long as (he) can.”  
While he does offer some lower heeled designs, Louboutin is typically associated with his eveningwear designs that incorporate feathers, bows, lace, bejeweled staps and other decorative touches.
The Anemone
The kiss-lock on Louboutin clutch bags have the signature red-sole stiletto’s
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Just when you think it could not get any better, CL collaborated with Marchesa.  How divine are these?

Which design has most captured your heart?
Au Revoir!  xoxo, B

                                                                                

                                                                                     

You Might Also Like

6 Comments

  • Reply Paris Pastry February 1, 2010 at 5:09 am

    When I was 16 I saw a pair of Louboutins in the Marie Claire. At the time, I had never heard of the designer but I fell in love with the red sole. Now 6 years later I finally have the exact same pair as in the magazine: black “Décolleté 100 Jazz” pumps. They're a pain to walk in but I don't care! They're just so beautiful!

  • Reply Bonjour Madame February 1, 2010 at 5:33 am

    By far, the Marie Antoinette inspired shoes are my favorite. What a lovely post!

  • Reply BonjourRomance February 1, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    Bonjour,
    Perfection! Those periwinkle blue peep-toes are fine for me. There is just something about those red soles. This was such an interesting and enjoyable post.
    Have a fabulous week!

  • Reply Couture Millinery Atelier. February 2, 2010 at 6:21 am

    Beautiful post! I have to agree, once you put your Louboutins on – the world feels like a more beautiful place. I am so lucky to own several pairs of Louboutin shoes and constantly find myslef on the look out for more :-))) I also love wearing sky high heels. I do not think I would dare to wear $6.000+ shoes – I would too scared to damage them :-)))

  • Reply Couture Carrie February 2, 2010 at 10:37 am

    Fantastic post, darling!
    Louboutins are truly art ~ love those magenta ones for Marchesa!

    xoxox,
    CC

  • Reply Fifi Flowers February 3, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    FABULOUS shoes!!!!!! I ADORE them all!!!

  • Leave a Reply to Paris Pastry Cancel Reply

    Back to top