Louboutin’s bloody shoes
Christian Louboutin was always fascinated with shoes and began sketching designs at a young age. He was particularly fascinated with elaborate high heels. This interest began when he saw a sign in a museum that forbade women from wearing high heels to avoid damages to the wooden flooring. It kindled the rebel in him and he promised to defy it one day.
Fortunately, he apprenticed under Roger Vivier- inventor of stilettos. This period was crucial in his design career, especially gaining the experience in an area he wanted to revolutionize.
In 1991, he opened his first shoe salon and helped bring back stilettos in fashion. Despite the salon’s growth, he wasn’t thoroughly satisfied with the designs. He was frustrated with his designs lacking the vibrancy to revolutionize the shoe industry.
During a design review in 1993, he spontaneously grabbed his assistant's red color nail polish and painted the sole with it. He immediately knew he had created the one element that would become the basis of his salon’s brand identity-
the famed red-soled Louboutins
Considering the base model starts at $600, these red bottoms- as they are commonly known among fashionistas, is a status symbol. It would be unfair to not acknowledge the intricate craftsmanship that goes into designing these shoes and eventually making them. But, they’re emblematic of high-end fashion, and the red sole is protected as a trademark in some of the countries.
Honestly, I have never understood stilettos. I have always chosen comfort over fashion when it comes to footwear and clothes. Even my friends who wear stilettos complain of the discomfort in balancing on a pair of tapering blades.
Nevertheless, despite the difficulties associated with wearing stilettos, Louboutin managed to create a brand that transformed the shoe industry. Louboutin has accepted that comfort has never been a priority, and it always has been about:
to make a woman’s leg as long as he can.
Thank you for reading!
