The Iconic Red Sole: Celebrating 30 Years of Louboutin's Timeless Shoe
Transforming footwear into art, Louboutin's iconic red sole celebrates 30 years of sheer brilliance With unrivaled style and timeless allure, it is the epitome of staying power in the world of fashion
When it comes to shoes, very few symbols are as iconic or coveted as the red sole of Christian Louboutin. Founded three decades ago, this brand has revolutionized footwear by transforming it into a work of art. Their heels are designed to enhance the foot's curves, and the red sole, almost playfully suggestive, adds a touch of intrigue as the wearer walks away.
Pamela Anderson, Lady Gaga, and Blake Lively are just a few of the many celebrity fans of Louboutins, which have been worn by the showgirls of the Crazy Horse cabaret in Paris and showcased on the catwalks of high-end fashion houses.
Model Kate Moss, seen here in 2011, has a style of Louboutin shoes named after her, the "So Kate" featuring a sharper toe and "nail thin" heel.
Eamonn McCormack/WireImage/Getty Images
Supermodel Kate Moss shared with British Vogue in 2014 that her wardrobe is filled with Louboutins, particularly the classic black Pigalle stiletto in either patent or matte black leather, which she considers her go-to shoe. Moss revealed that she possesses numerous pairs, to the extent that Christian Louboutin designed a style specifically for her with a sharper toe and a thin, nail-like heel, named the So Kate.
"Loubis" have made appearances in various television series and movies. One notable instance is when Carrie Bradshaw sported a mismatched pair while vacationing in Los Angeles in an episode of "Sex and the City." Additionally, a custom pair was created for Miss Piggy in the 2011 film "The Muppets." Other celebrities such as Taylor Swift, who wore crystal-encrusted variations on her Eras tour, and Beyoncé, who donned the red-soled shoe at Coachella, have also showcased Louboutin's designs. The brand even received recognition from Cardi B in her chart-topping single "Bodak Yellow."
"I call Mr. Louboutin the greatest showman in footwear," Footwear News style director Shannon Adducci told CNN Style. "To fans, the red sole equals the height of glamor."
Seeing red
The red soles origin story is the stuff of fashion folklore. In 1993, two years after launching his independent business, Louboutin designed a shoe collection inspired by Andy Warhol's "Flowers" lithograph. The prototype came back featuring a floral motif on a pink stacked heel, but the design didn't quite achieve the desired impact. However, a simple moment of inspiration occurred when the designer noticed his assistant painting her nails. It was in that moment that Louboutin had an "aha" moment and decided to use red nail varnish to paint the sole instead.
Miss Piggy in her Louboutins on the set of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" in 2011.
Theo Wargo/NBCUniversal/Getty Images
"The color red symbolizes love, passion, and vitality," Louboutin conveyed in an email statement to CNN Style. "It exudes strength, commands attention, holds immense power, and is renowned for its ability to attract good luck."
The Louboutin aesthetic embodies opulence and audacity, drawing inspiration from Marie Antoinette and the allure of a femme fatale. These exquisitely crafted shoes, produced in Italy, are not limited to leather but also incorporate crystal, feathers, and even velvet adorned with silver strass (resembling rhinestone).
A woman possessing the 'it' factor: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's timeless allure
However, they are not suitable for the easily discouraged. Despite their impeccable craftsmanship, they also come with exorbitant price tags, ranging from approximately $350 for a pair of Louboutin rubber flip flops to nearly $4,000 for thigh-high metallic leather boots. Each pair features the iconic red sole.
Actor Zendaya in a pair of sky high Louboutins at the Paris Couture shows in 2019. The shoes are a firm celebrity favorite.
Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
The pumps in this collection reach a staggering height of 120mm (4.7in) in the beloved yet famously challenging-to-walk-in style known as the "So Kate." The platforms take it even further, with the "Maria Frou Alta" measuring an impressive 160mm (6.5in) in heel height.
A good shoe does more than just make you feel good and look good; it instills confidence, keeps you engaged, and evokes fierceness, according to Louboutin speaking to CNN. It's the kind of shoe that brings joy both when you think about it and when you wear it. These shoes have the power to transform your body language and attitude, lifting you physically and emotionally. Similar to the magical glass slipper from Cinderella, my aim is to create shoes that inspire dreams and allow you to embody any character you desire. However, it's important to note that comfort is not always guaranteed.
Taylor Swift has had some custom sparkly Louboutin boots made for her Eras tour.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Beyoncé also chose a pair of custom fringed Louboutin boots to wear on stage during her recent Renaissance tour.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images
Style with staying power
In a 2012 interview with British Vogue, Louboutin claimed the title of "king of painful shoes." He clarified that he did not aim to create uncomfortable footwear, but rather prioritized design, beauty, and sexiness over comfort. While he endeavored to make his high heels as comfortable as possible, he emphasized that comfort was not his primary focus.
Louboutin has demonstrated their resilience and commitment to the industry, enduring the challenging period of the pandemic dominated by loungewear and slippers. A spokesperson for the brand confirmed that despite the circumstances, high heels maintained their popularity, albeit with a shift in style preferences such as platforms, low heels, and block heels, which align with the evolving lifestyle and trends. Are high heels becoming a thing of the past?
In the past few years, the brand has expanded its collection of flats and trainers with a touch of Louboutin. From sophisticated white tennis shoes featuring a red trim and sole to bold chunky leather lug sole treads adorned with stud detailing, the sneaker range offers a statement-making variety.
{{img_placeholder_5}}
The red sole is a true red carpet staple. Rihanna chose a pair to wear to the 2019 "Camp" themed Met Gala.
John Shearer/Getty Images
The brand's diversification goes beyond flats, as it now offers a range of products such as handbags, kids shoes, pet accessories, and beauty items. The beauty division showcases nail varnishes, lipstick, and fragrances that incorporate the famous red sole and pencil-thin heel silhouette of Louboutins. Although the prices start at $60 for a lipstick, it allows more people to experience a touch of Louboutin luxury.
In addition to women's footwear, the brand introduced a men's collection in 2011, catering to a financially well-off demographic. The designs include calfskin moccasins with tassel details or trompe l'oeil embroidery, slip-on Venetian-style loafers with tartan or spiked embellishments. The success of these designs led to the opening of the first Christian Louboutin men's store in Paris in 2012. The collection now offers leopard print ankle boots with a 70mm block heel, lug sole sneakers adorned with spikes, and patent lace-ups with rhinestone heels.
"He brought glamor to mens footwear and made it okay to make a statement and show off a bit," Adducci said.
{{img_placeholder_6}}
King Charles III speaks with Christian Louboutin and actor Kristin Scott Thomas at a garden party in 2023 in London.
Heathcliff O'Malley/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Whether they are for men or women, it is the soles that truly distinguish Louboutins from the rest. And when these shoes begin to lose their unique hue on the bottom, which can happen with regular wear, the brand steps in. Louboutin has a team of approved cobblers who are authorized to restore the shoes to their original splendor, using the closely guarded and highly protected trademark shade known as Pantone 18, or "Chinese Red."
Naturally, with such success, the brand has diligently protected itself from other companies attempting to capitalize on their red magic. The soles have become such a fundamental aspect of the brand's DNA that in 2008, they applied for and were granted a trademark by the US Patent and Trademark Office for their red soles. Since this trademark was established, Louboutin has been involved in numerous complex trademark infringement cases across the globe. They have faced legal battles with various brands, ranging from high street retailer Zara to affordable Dutch shoe brand Van Haren, as well as luxury French fashion house YSL, resulting in mixed outcomes.
Without a doubt, Louboutin enthusiasts exhibit unwavering brand loyalty, particularly the renowned ones. In 2015, burlesque queen Dita Von Teese disclosed to The Hollywood Reporter that she declined a highly remunerative advertising endeavor from a prominent luxury shoe label due to her deep-seated allegiance towards Christian Louboutin, both as a designer and as a friend. She expressed her firm belief that Christian surpasses all other shoe designers globally.
