Christian Louboutin is one of the most creative and prestigious French artisans of haute couture shoes and bags. Louboutin is known for his famous red soles in a variety of shoe styles ranging from traditional pumps, brightly colored sandals, studs, and a fantasy theme. The Palais de La Port Doree, translates to the palace of the gold door, is holding a retrospective of the designer’s shoes in Paris; Loubotuin World. It will be open from February 26 to July 26, 2020. The Palais was formerly the Musee d’ Art Afrique et d’Oceanie which banned shoes. Louboutin has become a household name and has worldwide boutiques and stores which carry selections of his shoes as well as hand bags and makeup. The makeup is unique, with lipsticks and nail colors, designed in the shape of a stiletto. The bags are a nice addition and pair with the shoes or compliment the look for day and evening attire. The opening night party was filled with fashionistas and stars in attendance such as ; DVF, Dita von Tesse, Arielle Dombasle and Derek Blasberg. Orchestre Lamoreux played music from favorite movie scores and the exterior of the palais was bathed in symbolic red light. When one enters, people see walls with black and red French graffiti. The catchy phrases enhance the brand’s message, identity and history. There are many exhibit rooms such as; The Nudes which feature a collection of mannequins and rows of flesh/beige shoes. Some of the decor is done by artists who collaborated with the artiste/designer himself. The Fetish Room is a collaboration of lace, eroticism and mesh shoes, not made for walking. It is a project presented with filmmaker and photographer, David Lynch. The Treasure Room has a red floral pattern with gold and was decorated by Pakistani artist, Imran Qureshi. One can view the Bhutan Theater Room which has bamboo influenced Asian decor with carved columns. The Biography Room is done by New Zealand artist, Lisa Reihana, she retraces Louboutin’s life, moments and reflections through a digital hypnotic fresco. Shoes from Louboutin’s early career, show the humble start of shoe designs and what was then in vogue. He began drawing at the age of thirteen and used this talent to become a designer who illustrates feminine power through heels. Some rooms show shoes with spiked heels, colorful displays, exotic materials and tassel designs. The exhibition is provocative and sensual, providing an in depth look at Louboutin. The Palais features the company and man’s personification, the accessory world which he has created. The Christian Louboutin Paris Fashion Week Show was February, 25th at The Ecole des Beaux Arts. They showed colorful and neutral styles, from pumps to flats, as well as their bag collection. The theme and music for the show was retro games with a symbolic Loubi character. “God Save My Shoes” is a documentary with appearances by; Christian Louboutin, Dr. Jayme Albin, psychologist, Dita Von Teese and Manolo Blahnik, in which shoes and high heels play a role in fashion, designer influence, power, the economy, femininity, sexuality and fetish throughout history and in the present. Christian Louboutin is a shoe designer who epitomizes intricate design and a well crafted heel. Creating stilettos, boots, and flats with red heels are a prototype for the modern women’s journey to feel and be beautiful, playful , alluring, adding height to compete with the taller man. One often sees burlesque features in Louboutin designs such as; the solid colored pink pump, lace designs and ankle straps which create allure and bring a teetering balance between heel height. Dominance versus subordination is a common theme in the 40 billion dollar women’s shoe industry. One must see the Parisian exhibition and buy a pair or two of Louboutin’s in order to partake in the shoe experience.
The Cosmopolitan Compact 