Being very much into shoes at this particular moment, a mention of Christian Louboutin‘s creations is somewhat inevitable. We have had, in the past, (and the present, too) shoemakers rising above the status of mere cordwainers… Salvatore Ferragamo became the shoemaker of Hollywood stars in the first half of the past century (he started designing shoes as far back as 1924) and the ’70s saw the birth of the “new shoe” with the likes of Manolo Blahnik, which has continued in more recent times with creators such as Jimmy Choo.
Mr. Louboutin’s shoes have a distinctive red sole, which is present in nearly every model he’s ever made…that is his very personal touch. Men’s shoes, in the days of extreme male elegance more than a couple of centuries ago (before the peacock donned his feathers for the sober and somewhat sad black suit of the 19th century) had high heels which went very well with their frills and lace – not to mention facial make up – and often the heels were red, to attract the attention of the ladies with promises of most interesting hidden attributes.
Still, Louboutin makes mostly women’s shoes and his creations are considered the ultimate in high-heel fashion and are coveted by many, since only the best and most comfortable materials are used…they have indeed become very much of a status symbol. Walking and standing on high heels all day is not easy…as the master himself says in a recent interview with a French ladies’ magazine, you should practise at home before you venture out into the world of sidewalks and uneven paths…and maybe initially simply confine the wearing to special occasions, unless you happen to be one of the lucky few possessing an enviable physical balance.
