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| Christian Louboutin |
He was born in 1964 in Paris. As a child, he was fascinated by ladies shoes and by the time he reached his teens, Louboutin was sketching shoe designs in his school books.
In 1975, whilst visiting the African and Oceanic Art Museum, Louboutin noticed a sign forbidding entrly to women in stilettos to prevent damage to the wooden flooring. the sign showed a woman's stietto shoe with a thorn-like heel slashed with a red line and this image made an impression on the young Louboutin.
From the age of 12 Louboutin would often sneak out of school to visit the flea market of Vila do Conde, watch Paris famous showgirls performin. Whilst watching dancers, he became convinced that women most often look at their legs in silhouette. It was this inspiration that led him to drop out of school early to pursue his passion for shoe design.
Louboutin received a small amount of training at the Academie Roederer, studying drawing and decorative arts. After travelling for a year in Egypt and India he returned to Paris and produced a design portfolio full of elaborate high heels. Arround this time he also worked as an apprentice at the Folies Bergeres - the famous French music hall. This further developed his love of shoes as he said "nobody wears shoes like a dancer on stage". He then tutored under Charles Jourdan and freelanced at a range of ilustrious ateliers including Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent.
In 1975, whilst visiting the African and Oceanic Art Museum, Louboutin noticed a sign forbidding entrly to women in stilettos to prevent damage to the wooden flooring. the sign showed a woman's stietto shoe with a thorn-like heel slashed with a red line and this image made an impression on the young Louboutin.
From the age of 12 Louboutin would often sneak out of school to visit the flea market of Vila do Conde, watch Paris famous showgirls performin. Whilst watching dancers, he became convinced that women most often look at their legs in silhouette. It was this inspiration that led him to drop out of school early to pursue his passion for shoe design.
Louboutin received a small amount of training at the Academie Roederer, studying drawing and decorative arts. After travelling for a year in Egypt and India he returned to Paris and produced a design portfolio full of elaborate high heels. Arround this time he also worked as an apprentice at the Folies Bergeres - the famous French music hall. This further developed his love of shoes as he said "nobody wears shoes like a dancer on stage". He then tutored under Charles Jourdan and freelanced at a range of ilustrious ateliers including Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent.
In 1988, Christian Louboutin joined Roger Vivier who at that time was known as the Faberge of Footwear and who had previously collaborated with the likes of Dior in the 1950s. Under Vivier's teaching, Louboutin learnt the mastery of making shoes and raised his skills to a new level. Vivier was said to have invented the stiletto or spike heel which so inspired a young Louboutin. The design was named after a slim knife.
Vivier taught him the crux of shoe creation and said "the most important part of the shoe is the body and the heel. Like a good bone structure, if you get that right, the rest is makeup".
At the end of the eighties, Louboutin reportedly turned his hand to garden design for a brief time, before launching his self named shoe atelier in the early nineties.
Christian Louboutin shoes became known for their vibrant colours and exoticism.
Louboutin was pivoted in bringing stilettos back into fashion in the nineties and into the 2000s. His wish to "make a woman look sexy, beautiful, to make her legs look as long as i can" has led to towering heels of 12cm or higher. His more opulent eveningwear designs oftern incorporate embellishment and decoration such as feathers, exotic leathers and jewel encrusted straps.
Vivier taught him the crux of shoe creation and said "the most important part of the shoe is the body and the heel. Like a good bone structure, if you get that right, the rest is makeup".
At the end of the eighties, Louboutin reportedly turned his hand to garden design for a brief time, before launching his self named shoe atelier in the early nineties.
Christian Louboutin shoes became known for their vibrant colours and exoticism.
Louboutin was pivoted in bringing stilettos back into fashion in the nineties and into the 2000s. His wish to "make a woman look sexy, beautiful, to make her legs look as long as i can" has led to towering heels of 12cm or higher. His more opulent eveningwear designs oftern incorporate embellishment and decoration such as feathers, exotic leathers and jewel encrusted straps.
Famously Louboutin’s trademak is the lipstick red soles of his shoes,
which flash into sight when the wearer walks. Like the white flash of an
animal’s tail, the red flare of a Louboutin is a striking, come hither signal
which has led Louboutin to christen his creations ‘follow me shoes’. The
coloured sole is an iconic symbol of the brand - simple and utterly
recognisable. This simplicity coupled with Louboutin’s ability to infuse the
spirit of femininity into his shoes, has helped to create one of the most
recognizable and coveted luxury shoe brands.
The king of the red-hot shoe may be famous for his sexy killer heels,
however he also produces reams of elegant and feminine day and casual shoes
inspired by enticing exotic locations, nature and dance. His footwear mirrors
his upbringing and is a mixture of culture, art and history. 
Today Christian Louboutin shoes can be found in boutiques worldwide as well as on the catwalks for young highly regarded designers such as Roland Mouret and Rodarte.
Notable celebrity patrons have included Elizabeth Taylor, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane von Furstenberg, Kylie Minogue and Catherine Deneuve.
Christian Louboutin has established himself as one of the top shoe
designers in the world. In a poll by the Daily Telegraph, Louboutins were named
the most sexy heel with his classic black stiletto being the most popular.
Wearing Louboutins makes a woman feel sexy with Louboutin stating his shoes are
the “perfect blend of beauty and sex appeal, high enough that they slow women
down and give them a sexier gait.”
© Les Bons Viveurs 2013
The king of the red-hot shoe may be famous for his sexy killer heels,
however he also produces reams of elegant and feminine day and casual shoes
inspired by enticing exotic locations, nature and dance. His footwear mirrors
his upbringing and is a mixture of culture, art and history.
Notable celebrity patrons have included Elizabeth Taylor, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane von Furstenberg, Kylie Minogue and Catherine Deneuve.
Christian Louboutin has established himself as one of the top shoe
designers in the world. In a poll by the Daily Telegraph, Louboutins were named
the most sexy heel with his classic black stiletto being the most popular.
Wearing Louboutins makes a woman feel sexy with Louboutin stating his shoes are
the “perfect blend of beauty and sex appeal, high enough that they slow women
down and give them a sexier gait.”
© Les Bons Viveurs 2013
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