ChristianLouboutin

 

From The Square One in Paris to One of The World's Most Exclusive Producers

Written By: Victoria Novikova

French Culture A1

Madame Merchant

 

 

Pays/Ville:

Paris, France

Blog: http://shoeblogs.com/2008/09/29/christian-louboutin-for-the-monday/

Website: http://www.christianlouboutin.com/

 

 

Above are just a few of my designs and the extraordinary adds I use to convey my creations.

 

Details Personnels:

     Bonjour, my name is Christian Louboutin, I take pride in my  creations which I try to make one of a kind. I manifest my thoughts and moods in my shoes and my handbags. Much of my development for a passion for femininity and fashion came from my three sisters. But I clearly remember the incident that inspired me more than anything to take part in the prestigious Parisian world of fashion. This event occurred in 1976 when my family and I visited a museum near my house in Paris. It was the Musee des Arts Africains et Oceaniens on the Avenue Daumesnil. Its unbelievable collection of handiwork and sculpture from the Ivory Coast, Mali, and Australasia was enclosed within a building that featured parquet floors and priceless mosaics. I recall a sign that barred the visitors from wearing spike-heeled shoes because it could implement damage to the floor surface (which were now the vintage shoes of the past). I then remember an interview with Katherine Weizmann in Footwear News and then I thought to myself, "How could someone make a [drawing] of a shoe that no longer existed to tell people not to wear them? I became obsessed." They were various colored high heels that were of multiple heights. Since that day I my fervency for shoes has been proliferating and along the way picking up more innovative ideas the world has never even heard of. I think it is all about the legs ad they way they carry themselves that truly speak for the embellishment of the body. It is the most significant part of body communication. Though I was expelled from four school and seemed to not have fit in with my peers, I was determined to devise the immaculate shoe collection. 

 

Date de Naissance:

I was born on January 7, 1963.

 

Date de Mort:

I am still alive today and am creating many more collections of unique shoes and handbags.

 

Sexe:

Male

 

Mes Inspirations:

     My first inspiration occurred within me and twisted my way of thinking in a sharp yet direct turn. It shifted it towards my passion for shoes. This first instance occurred when I wen to the Musee des Arts Africains et Oceaniens. These was a modern exhibit about the art and they had just had brand new lacquered parquet installed. There read a sign saying that heels were not permitted on this floor for it could cause damage and there was a picture on the sign. It was a stiletto, and the second I laid my eyes on this vintage fantasy, I knew I had to design shoes. My second inspiration was rather a series of trips to famous nightclubs in Paris when I should have been studying in school. The one I recall the most was The Palace and it was filled with countless music halls and showgirls that had wild revealing costumes, which is why my attention got directly diverted to their shoes which were like nothing I have ever seen before. They has lace, leather, bows, silk, and were all in vivid display. I noticed how each different style shoe accentuated the bodies of these women and noticed which styles have more effect on elongating the legs. My third inspiration came to me when I found out about Cher, Cherilyn Sarkisian, an American pop singer that had a very distinct and exclusive style especially when it came to shoes. My fourth inspiration were the collections of Yves Saint Laurent, Charles Jourdan, and Roger Vivier. Today I still get many inspirations from foreign culture such as African and Japanese, along with the history of France. Celebrities that still inspire me until this very day as so called showgirls Tina Turner and Nicole Kidman.

 

The video above speaks of my first inspiration that lead to a mild obsession with the stiletto and led to my further passion for shoes. 

Croyances Religieuses:

 I was raised Christian but never did illustrate this and rarely attended church, but today my religion is shoes. 

 

Situation de Famille:

I am the son of Roger (a cabinetmaker) and Irene (a homemaker) Louboutin and I am the partner of Louis Benech (a landscape architect) since 1997.

Enfants:

I do not have any children currently.

 

En Cherchant:

     Since I first discovered my fondness for shoes I have been seeking ways to revolutionize the entire shoe industry. Also, I seek new ways to impact cultures globally and though it may not seem possible with such a small input such as shoes I believe it is possible and little by little I have and will continue to succeed with these goals in the future. However in order to accomplish these rather vague aspirations, I need to narrow them down. I have in fact narrowed them down to seeking more inspiration in places where no one would dare to look and create designs that may even be absurd, but unique. I seek inspiration for future collections that will be beyond original and maybe in some ways futuristic yet classic and eternal. I will look further into history, perhaps of places other than just France, and I will travel the world and seek architecture or art that catches my eye that I can use in my collections as well.

 

Metier:

     I first found my calling as a 17-year-old apprentice in the dressing rooms of Paris' famous cabaret the Folies Bergère. Then for quiet some time I was a freelance shoe creating heels for the collections of Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, as well as Maud Frizon, another shoe designer with huge name-brand cache during the 80's. Then I launched my own line 1989 (when I would sell my shoes to women on the streets of Paris) and then my boutique in 1991 at the end of a picturesque 19th century Parisian Arcade called Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, which still remains there today. Then I launched another boutique in the United States in 1993 and then continues opening more boutiques worldwide. In 2003, I launched my handbag line. Today I am still opening many boutiques in countires such as China and Singapore. I will forever remain faithful to my work, and thus live my life as a shoe and handbag designer.

 

Interets/Loisirs:

• I greatly enjoy trying to come up with new designs that elongate the frame of the body. 
• Besides shoes, one of my greatest interests in that of architecture and the way it is grouped with its textures, appearance, and resistance.  
• I am completely fascinated by flying trapeze after witnessing it many times during the circus. It is a remarkable feeling and an unforgettable rush of adrenaline.
• While shoes may be my greatest focus and interest, fashion does not influence my designs or concepts in any way, this is because fashion is dated too quickly while shoes may remain classics eternally.
• Another one of my interests is that of history. It has no ending and in my opinion since it is not contained it holds greater significance than the present. I visit historical museums and study the designs implemented during the different eras. Once again they inspire me to integrate these patterns into those of today.
• Also, a personal hobby of mine is travel. Some of my favorite places is Egypt because the surroundings there are different from those of Europe and differentiate from  much of world as well.
• I also take notice of numerous old style hollywood movies and broadway shoes.
• The nightclubs of Paris are some of the most exquisite in the world, I am talking about the one with can-can dancers and music halls. The olden ideals of these inspired some of my well-known designs and bring inspiration everytime.

 

Accomplissements:

• I created the brand of Christian Louboutin and all that is encompasses, such as handbags and shoes.
• My brand, Christian Louboutin has topped the Luxury Institute's annual Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) for 3 years; the brand's offerings were declared the Most Prestigious Women's Shoes in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
• I revolutionized the shoe industry completely by creating shoes that are not too aggressive or over-adorned.
• I influenced the media industry as well because many of today's celebrities such as Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Britney Spears, Oprah, and countless others have worn my design to the most prestigious occasions and it is an honor to me.
•  I recently collaborated with famous directorDavid Lynch and they have created an exhibition featuring rare shoes by Louboutin, they are on show at the Pierre Passebon Gallery. The exhibition is named 'Fetish'.
• I have currently established 14 boutiques and plan to open 6 more within the next year. Overall my products are sold in 46 countries worldwide.

 

Above is a slideshow of celebrities that wear me shoes, a few of my handbags, and my boutiques.

 

Education:

• I began sketching designs early in my teens after visiting the museum and seeing the showgirls.
• I later received formal training at the Academie Roederer, where I studied drawing and the decorative arts.
• I was truly intrigued by world cultures, and therefore ran away to see Egypt while still in my teen years, and I also traveled through India for a year.
• 1981, I assembled a design portfolio of my most elaborate high heel designs, and demonstrated it to some of the city's top couture houses.
• I was then hired by Charles Jourdan, a legendary shoe designer, and then through him I met Roger Vivier, also well-known and worked with Christian Dior in the 1950's. As I once told Newsweek International, "Vivier taught me that the most important part of the shoe is the body and the heel, like good bone structure, if you get that right, the rest is makeup."
• During the rest of the 1980s, I was a freelance shoe designer which meant that I created heels for the collections of Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, as well as Maud Frizon, another shoe designer with huge name-brand cache during that time.
• I then launched my own enterprise, with the help of two financial backers, and in November of 1991 opened a Paris shoe boutique under my own name.

 

Magasins:

     I currently have five boutiques within the U.S. Two are in New York , one is in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Orange County. Also I plant to open one in Boston, Bal Harbour, and Chicago.  I opened my first store in Asia in 2007,on On Lan Street in Central, Hong Kong. I opened two in London, England. The original is in Motcomb Street and the newer one was opened in Mount Street in 2008. I opened my first store in South America in Shopping Iguatemi Sao Paulo. In addition, a another Louboutin store opened this year in Ngee Ann City, a high-end mall in Singapore on its famous shopping stretch, Orchard Road. In Australia, My shoes can be found in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney in David Jones stores. I also have a boutique in Moscow and three in Paris. In addition to the stores a large proportion of sales are also done online through online stores and boutiques and Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

 

Styles Preferes:

      I integrate many different styles into my creations. However, some just do not mix and others marvelous and one of a kind. One style that I reflect in my designs is the classic. It simple, elegant, and timeless. It can be worn with anything, anytime, and anywhere. An example of this are my simple black peep-toe pumps with a four inch heel. Another style that I am beginning to increasingly utilize in my shoes and handbags is a futuristic modern style. This is when my shoes are bright colors or may have rough edges and are patent leather. Another style is the Athenian style and that was created in one of my recent collection when I realeased the with the gladiator sandal that was immensely popular. I also like the absurd style when some elements do not make sense and may not match, but its adds a sense of absurdity to the shoe making it unique and compatible with modern designs. I also try to aim for a feminine silhouette of the shoe. The body and the heel have to enhance and emphasize the beauty of the legs. There in my designs I utilize many bows, ruffles, lace, and silk.

 

Collections Preferee:

     A few of my personal favorite collections are the ones I did in 2005 fall when I created leather studded booties worn by numerous celebrities and still in style during the fall. Another one of my favorites is the the summer 2008 collection of the gladiator sandals in all different forms because they weren't just the typic flat gladiators. They were elevated and strappy, yet simple and elegant. overall a perfect fit for any occasion. But if I am to speak about my absolute favorite it the first collection in which I implemented the red sole. The shoe I first added the red sole on was simple and I thought it would not sell well and therefore I added the red sole, but it was such a revolution I later had to apply for the patent of the sole in the U.S. because it became my signature and will remain timeless. The first collectins are the ones where I was just familiarizing myself with the industry and they were so new and flawed yet I hold them closest to me. 

 

Personnage que je voudrais rencontrer et pourquoi:

     I would love to have met Marie Antoinette during that time because her royal style inspired one of my collections and she always seemed to have a different pair of shoes on. They were truly magnificent and irreplaceable. I would also love to have met more showgirls that are from all around the world to visualize the difference between the shoes they wear and how it affects the embellishment of their bodies since they are most manifested in my designs. I would also like to meet  more small scale designers because the tend to have the most unique perspective on shoes and it is truly inspirational.

 

 

Amis:

• Princess Caroline of Monaco 
• Catherine Deneuve
• Manolo Blanhik
• Mario Prada
• and others...

 

Influences Des Médias:

     Since I first launched my line of shoes and handbags there have been many uses or references to them in the media. Some examples are when Oprah featured mme and my collection of shoes in a show dedicated to 'the face behind the name'. My shoes were on display at the set, while Oprah Winfrey described them as 'pieces of art'. Many singing artists mention my designs in their song. For example, Rap artist Foxy Brown references the shoes in the first verse of her song "We On Fire" stating, "See it's the Louboutin leopard pump Don Diva..." Also, R&B singer,Ciara's " single "High Price", references me by saying, "See me in the club rockin' Christian Louboutin." Also, in Britney Spears's video "If You Seek Amy", she is wearing Louboutins, they are Dillian Flower Pumps in red. Furthermore, in the first verse of the song "Knock You Down" by Keri Hilson references my brand by stating, "Keep rockin' and keep knockin'/ whether you Louboutin it up or Reebok'n." I am truly honored to have my brand to be worthy of mention in all of these outside sources.

 

Citation Memorable:

"In such a pretty street, I want to have my prettiest shoes."~ Christian Louboutin

 

Mon Influence sur la Culture Francaise:

     I believe that even though not that significantly I have in fact shaped French culture and created changes that will endure forever within the borders of France and beyond. I have revolutionized the worldwide shoe industry by adding my unique designs to it.  This is all due to the fact that I integrate many different designs into my creations and these concepts come from countless unpredictable influences.

 

     I believe I added to the luxury and prestige of France and its people. We have a certain pride about us for our country and it is because we want only the highest quality and standard of living. We desire something that is beyond perfection and I try to manifest this concept through my shoes and handbags. I also try to give to the rest of the world and allow them to experience the one of a kind shoes and handbags. But I also demonstrated that an individual that may not have a great educational background or an affluent family, but has a desire and earning for something will achieve it if they just believe and that is where the pride of the French comes because they will strive to accomplish anything and I salute them as for I am one of them. I hope to continue providing only the highest standard of luxury for the people that helped me become who I am today as a person, both as a professional and a normal human being.

 

     Also I believe that I helped many remember historical parts of France's history, even if they were of the dismal times. An example of this is my collection called "Marie Antoinette" that I specifically dedicated to the former queen of France and I helped give her a brighter aspect than the role she played in history however it did commemorate her and let the rest of the world remember what a powerful woman she was. I integrated many French historical concepts into my pieces and then these are sold all aournd the world which means the rest of the world is acquiring little pieces of France, therefore letting the French speak to the rest of the world, the with one of the languages we know best, fashion and prestige. I am making the French well-known throughout the shoe industry and the world beyond it, because I want to give back to the rest of the world a remarkable little treasure from France. 

 

     Moreover, I believe that I integrated the culture of France and its people with the sulture of others countries even if it was only by shoes. But the ideals that are manifested in my designs come from all around the world, from Egypt, from Greece, from China, from Russia, and everywhere else. When I create these shoes or handbags and I distribute them around the world I now give little pieces of every country to the other countries and integrate their culture, further illustrating globalization, and passing on some styles/ traditions. An example of this is the summer collection of 2008 with the sandals that were all strictly based on Greek and Egyptian sandals of the ancient times. These were incredibly popular and millions purchased them. This made concepts travel everywhere and get mixed and the world of shoes became revolutionized by patterns from all over the world.

 

     Overall I believe that he culture of France will never be the same thanks to my shoes and handbag designs and the influence of others because I demonstrate the luxury of my people, the history that we should not be ashamed of, and I integrated the world cultures so that they come closer together and now France will have so concepts of other cultures while the other cultures will have elements of the French future in them as well, but I owe my entire influence over French culture to my fans of my worked that acquire my products, I thank you all sincerely and I hope that we can continue influencing the culture of France and the other countries in the field of accessories and beyond. 

 

Above is a video about my shoes and their exclusivity because as I said before I want to add luxury and prestige to France and its people.

 

Célébrités Que Porter Mes Creations:

• Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
• Britney Spears
• Hillary Duff
• Angelina Jolie
• Nicole Kidman
• Kate Bosworth
• Jennifer Lopez 
• Heidi Klum
• Jessica Alba
• Madonna
• countless

 

Resources:

Brennan, Carol. "Louboutin, Christian." Newsmakers 2006 Cumulation. Detroit: Gale, 2007. 254-255. Gale Virtual Reference                

     Library. Gale. INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL. 6 June 2009 

   <http://find.galegroup.com/gvrl/infomark.do? &contentSet=EBKS&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=GVRL&docId=CX3525800088 

      &source=gale&userGroupName=lom_inac&version=1.0.>

 

"CAN YOU BEAR THE TREND FOR KILLER HEELS?(Life)." The Star (South Africa) (June 4, 2009): 16. InfoTrac Custom      Newspapers. Gale. INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL. 6 June 2009 

     < http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS >

 

"Christian Louboutin." Day Life. 2009. Jun 6, 2009. < http://www.daylife.com/topic/Christian_Louboutin >

 

"Christian Louboutin." Newsmakers, Issue 1. Thomson Gale, 2006.

     Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills: Gale, 2009 < http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC >