When hearing “Christian Louboutin” most of us (and I include myself in the lot) directly think about the shoes, without really giving a thought about the man behind those shoes. This is one of the reason why I wished to dedicate “The Portrait Of the Week” feature to this “shoe master”, Christian Louboutin!
Born the 7th of January 1964, the French designer launched his line of high-end women’s shoes in 1991 while he very quickly in his childhood felt his interest shift towards shoe design. As a matter of fact, as he was still a teenager studying at school, he often drew sketches of shoes in his scrapbooks. Then, he dropped out of school quite early to pursue his dream of becoming a famous shoe designer. He started by going from partie to parties, offering his creations to women which often rejected them. He then decided to attend a few design schools as well as internships in famous fashion houses such as Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, in order to gain a certain credibility.
When Louboutin started his own brand in 1991, the soles of the shoes were grey or black to stick with the color codes of the times. Later on, in 1992, the idea of the glossy red soles came to him in an odd way... In his own words: "In 1992 I incorporated the red sole into the design of my shoes. This happened by accident as I felt that the shoes lacked energy so I applied red nail polish to the sole of a shoe. This was such a success that it became a permanent fixture." From there on, the brand found its signature style and would become an emblem of class and fashion excellence for every woman all around the world.
From the launch of the brand, up until now, the brand stayed true to Louboutin’s original will “to make shoes that are like jewels”. Christiant Louboutin also acted as a precursor, bringing the stiletto style back into fashion between the 1990’s and 2000’s, while he designed a multitude of styles and height. Not only does he create shoes to be aesthetic, he also wish to create models in which women would feel comfortable and empowered.
While stilettos often represent his signature model, the designer creates various type of shoes from razor-sharp stilettos to lace-up boots and studded snickers or ballerinas. Anyhow, details are always thought through with great attention proposing us exquisite pairs. Moreover, Louboutin follows fashion trends in his own way, incorporating them in his own style as the collection evolves season after season by always surprising and amazing us.
I find fascinating how a simple detail as the red sole became a real stamp of excellence and luxury and was maybe one of the reason the brand became so successful by making it recognizable among all of the other brands. (which is why I can understand Louboutin’s plaint towards Yves Saint Laurent for using his red sole for a pair of shoes, click here for more info about that).
Not only are Louboutin shoes the dream of many women around the world they have turned into a real reference in the fashion world. From more fantaisist with polka dots, lace or stud, to more classical ones in pattern leather or denim, a various number of styles are found in Louboutin collections.
And, as I said previously, the range of models is very wide and there really is for every taste, so take a look at what I found for mine! ;-)
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