Christian Louboutin
(1964 - Present)
Biography
Christian Louboutin was born in 1964 in Paris. He is known worldwide for his red sole design, which was created when he borrowed his assistants red nail polish and painted it on the sole of one of his designs; it soon became a permanent fixture (Bee).
His career in fashion began at age 17, when he got a job as an apprentice in the dressing rooms of the Folies Bergére music hall in Paris (Bee). From there he went to Charles Jourdan and did freelance designs for Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. He launched his own label and opened his first boutique in 1991. He helped bring stilettos back into fashion in the 90’s and 2000’s designing dozens of styles with five inch heels and higher (Bee).
Christian’s biggest and earliest influence would definitely have to be the theater and show girls. Women in general are his biggest inspiration. His designs however, are not made specifically for an ideal woman. Louboutin was brought up surrounded by sisters, which is why he knows everything about women and he puts that into his designs.
In his shoes you can clearly see his inspiration from stars, dancers and theater. The ruffled feathers, sparkly stones and movement of the shoes were made to be on stage.
His career in fashion began at age 17, when he got a job as an apprentice in the dressing rooms of the Folies Bergére music hall in Paris (Bee). From there he went to Charles Jourdan and did freelance designs for Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. He launched his own label and opened his first boutique in 1991. He helped bring stilettos back into fashion in the 90’s and 2000’s designing dozens of styles with five inch heels and higher (Bee).
Christian’s biggest and earliest influence would definitely have to be the theater and show girls. Women in general are his biggest inspiration. His designs however, are not made specifically for an ideal woman. Louboutin was brought up surrounded by sisters, which is why he knows everything about women and he puts that into his designs.
In his shoes you can clearly see his inspiration from stars, dancers and theater. The ruffled feathers, sparkly stones and movement of the shoes were made to be on stage.
Critical Analysis
Christian Louboutin reflects the zeitgeist of the art and theater in Paris. His designs were also greatly influenced by pop art, which was a big hit during this era. In various interviews he has even said how Andy Warhol was a big inspiration for him. In one of his designs called the “Pensées” you can see Andy Warhol reflected in the bright colors and large flower detail it has.
He was also influenced by Yves Saint Laurent, whom which he worked with, and became known for his famous YSL insignia made of gemstones. It was shown at the finale of Mr. Saint Laurent's last show. They loved the shoe so much that they decided to produce it for several months.
Christian Louboutin felt the same way about fashion as Mr. Saint Laurent. Their work was truly based on emotion, not about marketing.
I would consider Christian Louboutin to be an icon because of his infamous red sole. It is almost impossible to not see one of his designs walk down a red carpet these days. He is an influential designer, because he goes above and beyond to make extravagant shoes.
He was also influenced by Yves Saint Laurent, whom which he worked with, and became known for his famous YSL insignia made of gemstones. It was shown at the finale of Mr. Saint Laurent's last show. They loved the shoe so much that they decided to produce it for several months.
Christian Louboutin felt the same way about fashion as Mr. Saint Laurent. Their work was truly based on emotion, not about marketing.
I would consider Christian Louboutin to be an icon because of his infamous red sole. It is almost impossible to not see one of his designs walk down a red carpet these days. He is an influential designer, because he goes above and beyond to make extravagant shoes.
Analysis on Future Trends
Christian Louboutin has impacted the fashion world significantly, especially the stiletto world. He not only was the first designer to paint the bottom of a shoe, but he is one of the very few designers who managed to make a 6inch heel look classy. He is known for those sky-high pumps, and it became a trend that now everyone must have in their closet. Everyone wants a signature red sole. His funky designs and shoes with crystals and spikes became a trend that we now see everywhere. I believe there are many designers that have been or are now inspired by Christian Louboutin, YSL being one of them. Louboutin sued Yves Saint Laurent for trademark infringement after a red shoe with red soles appeared in its cruise collection. It became a big scandal, but A New York judge rejected Louboutin’s bid to stop sales of the YSL shoe, concluding that color “serves ornamental and aesthetic functions vital to robust competition” and that Louboutin is “unlikely to be able to prove that its red outsole brand is entitled to trademark protection” (Voguepedia).
Christian Louboutin created his lasting trademark, which is the red sole. His wit and style and passion and inventiveness mark him as one of the leading designers of our time (Malkovich). This is his signature and although many can imitate, no one will perfect his art and skill at shoe making. I am lucky enough to own a pair of red soles myself. They are my prize possession and I’m sure that any girl who owns a pair feels the same way.
Christian Louboutin created his lasting trademark, which is the red sole. His wit and style and passion and inventiveness mark him as one of the leading designers of our time (Malkovich). This is his signature and although many can imitate, no one will perfect his art and skill at shoe making. I am lucky enough to own a pair of red soles myself. They are my prize possession and I’m sure that any girl who owns a pair feels the same way.
Works Cited
<www.christianlouboutin.com>.
Voguepedia. <http://www.vogue.com/voguepedia/Christian_Louboutin>.
Bee, Deborah. Couture in the 21st Century. London: Harrods Publishing, 2010.
Malkovich, John. "Foreward." Louboutin, Christian. New York: Rizzolil, n.d.
Style Sight. <http://www.stylesight.com>.
Voguepedia. <http://www.vogue.com/voguepedia/Christian_Louboutin>.
Bee, Deborah. Couture in the 21st Century. London: Harrods Publishing, 2010.
Malkovich, John. "Foreward." Louboutin, Christian. New York: Rizzolil, n.d.
Style Sight. <http://www.stylesight.com>.