Step Into the Outlandish Shoes of Christian Louboutin

Known for skyscraper heels with a trademark red sole, Christian Louboutin’s shoes are nothing short of sculptural. His interest in visual culture stretches much further than the fashion realm, and can be traced back to a sign that forbade visitors from wearing stilettos at the Palais de la Porte Dorée in Paris. The stylistic illustration caught the eye of the young Louboutin, who had always loved sketching as a child. The Palais served as further inspiration thanks to the exotic fish that inhabit its famed aquarium, and which directly informed the first shoe he ever made.

It is but one of the many objects that fill an exhibition at the Palais (currently closed due to the pandemic), which focuses not only on Louboutin’s own oeuvre, but the many artists and craftspeople who have inspired, collaborated with, and been commissioned and collected by him.

These include David Lynch, who embarked on a dark, fetishistic photography project featuring models wearing specially-conceived “unwearable” Louboutins; a filmic piece inspired by the designer’s life, courtesy of New Zealander Lisa Reihana; a blood-thirsty installation conceived by Imran Qureshi; and series of leather nude mannequins conceived by London-based duo Whitaker Malem, shown in parallel with Louboutin’s range of skin-toned heels.

That being said, there are plenty of Louboutin’s experimental creations to enjoy too. Take, for example, shoes crafted from Guinness cans, not to mention an entire room styled like a chintzy grandmother’s living room. On closer inspection, every heavily-patterned surface features erotic complications designed by Louboutin, in the style of subversive photographer Pierre Molinier. It is a prime example of a designer who is not afraid of mixing outlandish camp, raw sexuality and exquisite design.