Kinky Shoes

Kinky Shoes.

ON BEGINNING THIS ARTICLE, Louboutin’s online shop is kindly informing me that there is exactly 151 days, eight hours, thirty eight minutes and thirty nine seconds left in the countdown to his Spring Summer 2011 collection.  As shoppers browse the website they are welcomed by the image of Louboutin himself, aseemingly sinister character who is magically levitating the words ‘SHOP ONLINE’ in a mesmerising neon green.  Frankly, it’s entrancing (if not a little creepy). Clicking on it, millions are forced to sigh at the precious gems he has cultivated through leather; wistfully dreaming about how good they would look in such beautiful footwear. He knows how to captivate women and men alike into the luxury of his red soled beauties,  he knows how to make you buy,  and by God, he knows how to make a shoe.

Suprisingly, the Christian Louboutin brand was only launched in 1992, following Louboutin’s previous careers in various fashion houses, but this famed brand is hugely recognised, featuring heavily on every red carpet event, the media, Hollywood films, and bad Jennifer Lopez songs.

The most striking feature about the Louboutin is the signature red sole which is greatly recognised culturally as a symbol of ultimate luxury in footwear; a touch stemming from Christian’s experimentations with a bottle of Chanel rouge nail polish backstage at a show.  These red soles come with a status- so lusted after, the creator who aimed ‘to make shoes like jewels’ are the ultimate fashionista’s symbol.  So let’s take a trip down Louboutin memory lane…

The history of the Louboutin is just as racy as the sky scraping heels, the collections being the brainchild of a man who, at the age of twelve, snuck out late at night to take a glimpse at the Parisian showgirls on display in the 1970’s burlesque clubs. These seductive influences are present in all of Louboutin’s collections which entice window shoppers with their needle-pointed stilettos, patent leather, occasional fringing, studs or glitzy embellishments. But back to the young inspired Christian Louboutin, who spent his days dreaming of the exuberant, seductive nuances of the cabaret he visited late at night, until he falls upon what was to become his main inspiration, an image of a lone stiletto slashed with a red line to warn ladies of the impact of their heel marks upon the African and Oceanic Art Museum’s( Paris) floor. This silhouette of both the showgirl’s female form and the sharp stiletto form the backbone of his collections, even in the men’s range which feature velvet, and studding much like the interior of his teenage haunts. (By just looking at the curves of his stiletto you can see a channelling of the curvacious feminine body.)  From here it appears Louboutin’s interests in fashion develop into freelance work for noted fashion houses such as Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, earning him status in its own right. But it isn’t until 1992 until the release of his true passion- his first shoe collection. After the first Parisian Louboutin boutique opening, the brand is quickly snapped up in established department stores, opening standalone flagships across the globe, making Louboutin the word on every fashion follower’s mouth.

Not just a passing trend, the Louboutin shoe is not pricey due to an A list status, but for its quality that guarantees comfort in even the most vertical of heels, not to mention longetivity in your wardrobe.  It’s artistry has not gone unnoticed, serving a higher purpose than a ‘must have’ for Hollywood starlets, the rich and the fashionable, and Christian Louboutin has received two acclaimed FFANY awards, nodding to the fantastic craftsmanship.  Perhaps most notably, in 2002 Louboutin was the first, and only, exterior brand to work with Yves Saint Laurent and feature as a design collaboration, a once in a lifetime opportunity.

What’s better, the Louboutin brand doesn’t gender discriminate, featuring footwear for both men and woman, all of which are luxurious, colourful and adorned with various decor to ensure they do not blend into a crowd.  Sadly, with a starting price at around E375, I might have to slip back into the converse…Maybe when the first post grad pay cheque comes in. Sigh. 150 days 02 hours 19 min and 54 seconds to go.