Clothing
+ Fashion
Jewelry +
Watches
Home +
Furniture
 Pottery 
+ Glass
Art +
 Photos 
Paper +
  Books  
Music +
Movies
Toys +
Games
Sports +
Outdoors
Ads +
  Signs  
Eras +
Themes

The fact that Christian Louboutin began his career at the age of 16 designing shoes for the Folies-Bergere should tell you a lot about the sensibilities of this red-hot shoe designer. The fact that his hero is fellow Parisian Roger Vivier, whose sculptural high heels have graced the feet of everyone from Josephine Baker to Catherine Deneuve, should tell you everything else.

The Follies account for Louboutin’s sense of showmanship, whether it’s a gold-plated leath...

But for all these influences, Louboutin’s high heels, mules, boots, and sandals are uniquely his own, the most obvious example being his practice of painting the soles of his shoes nail-polish red, no matter what the upper looks like. Indeed, this single device almost sums up the Louboutin aesthetic—brash, surprising, and undeniably eye catching.

After his introduction to fashion from a costumer’s perspective, Louboutin worked for Charles Jourdan and Yves Saint Laurent. He opened his own boutique in Paris in 1991 and today has shops in major cities around the world.

A good pair of Louboutins often makes Manolo Blahnik’s creations look like sensible Oxfords. Sure he does ballet flats, but Louboutin’s are dyed in purple, red, or yellow, after which they are covered with spikes. When Louboutin conjures a “safari shoe,” he sees a stiletto skinned in snake.

Want a Louboutin Mary Jane? Be prepared for a pump in multi-hued canvas with a 5-inch heel and an open toe. And his short boots are secured to the foot with all manner of straps that variously resemble bondage devices or slender seat belts.

Louboutin shoes excel at unusual combinations of materials, such as fishnet paired with patent leather. Like nature, Louboutin abhors a vacuum, which may explain why a pair of pumps with blocky clear Perspex heels are embedded with hydrangea petals, or why the Lucite soles or some of his creations are stuffed with suspended rose petals.

Heels, too, get the Louboutin treatment. Chunky ones are carved and painted gold, curved ones are meant to mirror the lines of a woman’s body. Up front, below the toes and ball of the foot, Louboutin frequently hides modest, flat platforms, making his 5-inch heels a bit more manageable. Even the lowly espadrille gets a Louboutin makeover—his versions feature uppers of lilac ribbon, tanned leather, or floral prints, with ropey platform wedges below.

Naturally people who make their living based on the impression they create are drawn to Louboutin shoes. J-Lo, who has a self-professed weakness for his heels, recorded a hit single called “Louboutins” that describes a woman leaving an unworthy boyfriend, not in slippers and a veil of tears but defiantly in 5-inch heels.

Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas is similarly fond of her Louboutins—she has been photographed countless times strutting the stage in her silver, above-the-knee Louboutin Supra Fifre boots, whose heel height rivals J-Lo’s. This is footwear that projects power and independence, although it’s a safe bet that the hip-hop diva has someone to help her with each boot’s 21 hooks.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Show & Tell - Share Your Stuff!

» See all Christian Louboutin Show & Tells

Interviews & Articles

Sex, Power, and High Heels: An Interview with Shoe Curator Elizabeth Semmelhack

I came to the Bata Shoe Museum as a cultural art historian with a strong interest in things that are made for immediate consumptio… [more]

The Best Cowboy Boots in Texas: Window Shopping with Author Jennifer June

Cowboys have been wearing cowboy boots since the 1860s, but the true cowboy period in the United States really only lasted about 2… [more]

Shoe Collector Jonathan Walford on Why Footwear Is So Seductive

I moved to Toronto in the early 1980s because I wanted to work at the Royal Ontario Museum, which had a costume and textiles depar… [more]

Our Bodies, Our Stilettos

Behold the power of the stiletto heel. Despite all the advances women have made, it's one fetish we can't seem to escape, a parado… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

All About Shoes

All About Shoes

From Canada's Bata Shoe Museum comes a visually impressive exhibit focusing on the history of the shoe from traditi… [read review or visit site]

Virtual Shoe Museum

Virtual Shoe Museum

This virtual museum from Shoe Icons Publishing showcases over 800 pairs of shoes and related reference information.… [read review or visit site]



Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 113 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
Christian Louboutin Daffodil Daf Daffodile Black Platform Shoe 37.5 38.5 39.5 40Brand New Christian Louboutin Highness 160 Patent Black 37.5 Christian Louboutin Highness 160 Patent Leather Platform Pumps Black Size 37Auth Christian Louboutin Louis Patent Cuir Verni Sneaker 37.5 Wms/ Mns 6- RareChristian Louboutin Louis Studded Spike Flat Denim/leather Size 43Christian Louboutin Nono Shoes Pony Leopard Us11 Uk10 Eu 44 100% AuthenticChristian Louboutin Mens Louis Flat (alba/silver) 43.5Christian Louboutin Louis Multi Colour Sneakers Us11 Uk10 Eu44 100% AuthenticChristian Louboutin 'tres Contente' Brown Thigh-high Boots Sz 38.Most Wanted Christian Louboutin "winter Trash" Slingbacks 2011 Fall Collection100% Authentic Christian Louboutin Lady Dafs Daffodils In Black Suede 38Christian Louboutin " Panama Geometrico" ShoesChristian Louboutin Lady Peep Nude 150 39.5 Brand NewChristian Louboutin Burgundy Croc-sequined Sobek Platform Heels Sz 38 New $1495Christian Louboutin Rollerball Loafer Velvet Blue Size 41.5 / Us 8.5Christian Louboutin Size 38Christian Louboutin No Prive 120 Kid Slingbacks Black Leather Size 42Christian Louboutin Men's Limited Edition- Black With Black Swarovski CrystalsChristian Louboutin Red & Black Paillette Bianca Platform Heels, 38.5 New $1695Christian Louboutin 42 Black Pigalle Christian Louboutin Leoard Pony Hair Clichy Bootie 38.5Christian Louboutin Alti Pump 160mm Size 10.5/40.5 -- Reduced!/free Shipping!Christian Louboutin Burgundy 38.5 Mary Jane Relika Platform Shoes Nib Authentic!Christian Louboutin Lady Peep 150 Patent Calf Sz 37 Brand NewChristian Louboutin Bianca Tuba 45 Calf Heel 38.5Christian Louboutin Asteroid 160 Veau Velours/patent Ca Sz 38.5 Brand NewBlue Christian Louboutin Bianca 140mm Pumps (size 36.5)Christian Louboutin Pigalle Black Patent Size 34 Pumps$865 Authentic Christian Louboutin Jenny Pump 150 Glitter York 36.5/6.5Christian Louboutin New 38100% Authentic New Women Louboutin Nude Rolando Heels/pump Us 9Authentic Christian Louboutin Black Bourge Boots - Size Eu 37 / Uk 4 / Us 7Christian Louboutin Highness 160 Python Indio Sz 40 Brand NewChristian Louboutin Bianca 140 Kid 39.5Christian Louboutin Black Suede Joli Dune Mini Peep Toe Pumps Size 37.5 Christian Louboutin Balota Snake Lattice Bootie 42 12Christian Louboutin Black Patent Lapono Zipper Booties -size 36.5Nib Christian Louboutin Coroclic 140 Pony Leopard Mini Size 40 Us 9 No Reserve!Authentic Christian Louboutin Boulima BeigeChristian Louboutin Greissimo Red 40 Pumps 140 Shoes Nib Christian Louboutin Pumps Size 37/7 100% Authentic Christian Louboutin Rolling Spikes In Black Gunmetal 38 Authentic Christian Louboutin Very Prive Black Platform Heels New! 37 Rrp $821!Christian Louboutin Maggie Size 39Christian Louboutin Black 41 Lavalliere Ribbon Bow Pumps Shoes Nib Authentic!Christian Louboutin Black 42 Mary Jane Bana Peep Toe Platform Shoes Nib AuthentcChristian Louboutin Deva Heels BootieChristian Louboutin Black 36.5 Patent Calf Leather Marpoil Shoes Nib Authentic!***sexxxy!***those $1,595 Christian Louboutin "coussin" Cage Booties*38Christian Louboutin Daffodil Crystal Pumps Size 8 Heels Platform Wedding ShoesAuthentic Christian Louboutin Volpi 150 Nappa Silk Sz 39Christian Louboutin Black Calf Clou Noeud Platform Pumps 37New Christian Louboutin Joli Dune Suede Mini-peep Toe Platform Pumps 38 / 8Christian Louboutin Super Dombasle Brown 6" Cork Platform Wedges Shoes 38Christian Louboutin Grommeted Suede Jem Platform Heels 37Once In A Lifetime Chance To Own Original Christian Louboutin Zigounettes 37Christian Louboutin Volpi 39.5 Black - BnwbNib Christian Louboutin Shoes Heels Pumps Ika Black Spike 38.5 8.5 BagNib Christian Louboutin Manue Pumps Shoes Nude 41.5 11.5 11 1/2 BagChristian Louboutin Decollete 36
»» Get our weekly Christian Louboutin Shoes email
Right now on eBay



Recent News: Christian Louboutin Shoes

Source: Google News

Blake Lively, Christian Louboutin and Other Star-Designer BFFs
Us Magazine, February 9th

Blake Lively, who rarely steps out without donning a pair of red-soled Christian Louboutin heels, doesn't have her own personal stylist but enlists the help from Louboutin himself instead. "When I'm going to an event, I'll send Christian a picture of...Read more

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN 20TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
Fashion.ie, February 9th

In honour of Christian Louboutin's 20th anniversary, the beloved shoe designer has created a capsule collection of 20 iconic shoe styles and six bag style that have been redesigned for today. "In France, 20 years defines a generation," the designer...Read more

Frankie Sandford dines with Wayne Bridge in Mayfair while The Saturdays are at ...
Daily Mail, February 8th

The couple stopped by the Christian Louboutin boutique before dining at upmarket Scott's restaurant. However while Frankie, 23, was enjoying some quality time with her footballer beau, her bandmates were hard at work in the studio...Read more

Christian Louboutin Claims Entitlement to a 'Very Specific' Red
VIBE Vixen, February 8th

While shoe lovers are celebrating 20 years of the well-known pump, designer Christian Louboutin is still in the midst of battling YSL over rights to his red-colored trademark soles. He emphasized that he does not want rights to the color red,...Read more

Louboutin anniversary: pill bag among highlights of capsule collection
Yahoo! Philippines News, February 8th

As he celebrates his 20th anniversary with a special capsule collection, French creator Christian Louboutin has shown his sense of humor by including a “Pilule” bag shaped as an actual capsule. Giving a new meaning to the term doctor's bag,...Read more

Christian Louboutin launches 20th anniversary capsule collection
Marie Claire.co.uk, February 6th

Footwear designer extraordinaire Christian Louboutin is launching a capsule collection of shoes and bags to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his French luxury label. The 26-piece range – 20 styles of shoes and six bags – are all reinterpretations of...Read more

Louboutin's Red Night
New York Times (blog), February 2nd

By ERIC WILSON Jemal Countess/Getty ImagesChristian Louboutin poses with models at the 20th anniversary celebration Of Christian Louboutin at Bergdorf Goodman. Bergdorf Goodman looked like a burlesque club on Wednesday night, with the second floor...Read more

Christian Louboutin Continues to Fight for His Red Soled High Heels Trademark
Hollywood Reporter, January 31st

That's basically what's at issue in the lawsuit filed by shoemaker Christian Louboutin – known for his red soled shoes -- that sought to stop YSL from selling shoes that are all red, including red soles. The birth of the red soled Loubou goes like...Read more