Christian Louboutin Pigalle Plato heels
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 36.5 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3909222504662
Christian Louboutin
The iconic red-soled shoes by Christian Louboutin (b. 1963) have made it onto almost every red carpet since the French designer opened his first boutique in Paris in 1992. His fantastical heels have gained attention and praise for their provocative heights and arching shapes, leading the designer to be nicknamed the “King of Stilettos.”
Since childhood, Louboutin was artistic; he began sketching shoes at the age of 10 and later studied drawing at the Académie d’Art Roederer. However, it was the regular visits to the Musée national des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie, then in the Palais de la Porte Dorée, that inspired his interest in women’s shoes. Growing up in the Paris neighborhood of the museum, he regularly spent weekends there and became fascinated by a sign asking women not to wear heels on account of the antique wooden floors. The severe arch of the heel on the sign and the violent red slash through it inspired him to think about shoes as something that could be dangerous and powerful in their allure. As he has said, “I wanted to create something that broke rules and made women feel confident and empowered.”
Breaking rules came naturally to Louboutin, who dropped out of school at the age of 16 and traveled to Egypt and India. When he returned to Paris in 1981, he had his mind set on shoe design and was hired by French fashion designer Charles Jourdan whose women’s shoe designs had been popular amongst the Paris elite since 1919. Louboutin later worked as a freelancer for such fashion houses as Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Roger Vivier.
When he went out on his own and opened his first boutique in the Galerie Véro-Dodat covered passage, Princess Caroline of Monaco became his first famous client. The now-revered red sole emerged with his third collection, when Louboutin noticed an assistant painting her nails bright red. He tried applying the polish to a sole and was enamored with the results. Soon, his glossy, red-bottomed heels were all the rage in the fashion world.
Today, Louboutin sells his wares in department stores and over 50 Louboutin boutiques across the world. Beyond shoes, he has also expanded into accessories, beauty lines and handbags, launching the Passage collection of bags in 2014, inspired by the location of his first boutique. Conceptual pieces like his 2007 “Pumps,” now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, have taken his stilettos to the extreme with a ballet-like en pointe silhouette balanced on a spiked heel. Louboutin is a go-to designer for celebrities, including Blake Lively, Mariah Carey, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Lopez (who has a song about the famed shoes), among hundreds of others. In February 2020, a retrospective of his career opened in the Palais de la Porte Dorée where it all began.
Find vintage Christian Louboutin shoes, sneakers, handbags and other items on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Isabel Marant Sand Suede Flatform SandalsLocated in London, GBGorgeous Gucci archival pointed sole strappy sandals in rose pink leather with multiple delicate, stretchy straps and stiletto heels. size 39C/UK6. Measures approx - 10.5” heel to to...Category
2010s Unknown Shoes
- Pierre Hardy Black Patent Mod Flat BootsBy Pierre HardyLocated in London, GBGorgeous, unworn archival Pierre Hardy black patent leather boots with cream crepe soles and leather inners. Have a cute 1960s inspired shape with rounded toe. Size 39. Measure appro...Category
2010s Unknown Shoes
- Givenchy Bone White Heeled Mule SandalsBy Givenchy, Riccardo TisciLocated in London, GBMinimalist cool Givenchy heeled mule sandals - worn once and come with dustbag of times. Made from bone white leather, they have horizontally cut tops, peep toes and stilettos heels....Category
2010s Unknown Shoes
- Chloe Perry T-bar PumpsBy ChloéLocated in London, GBGorgeous Chloe Perry t-bar pumps. Worn once and come with 1 x dustbag. Made from punched grey patent leather with brass ring trimmed t-bar front and half s...Category
2010s Unknown Shoes
- Christian Louboutin Python Trous 120mm Booties Ankle BootsBy Christian LouboutinLocated in London, GBStunning Christian Louboutin 24 Trous 120 booties/ankle boots. Bought for £1300 and unworn. Made from beautifully textured brown python skin, the have snubbed toes, lace up fronts, ...Category
2010s French Shoes
- Prada Fall 2015 Powder Blue Suede Over The Knee BootsBy Miuccia Prada, PradaLocated in London, GBAbsolutely divine Prada over the knee thigh high boots from the Fall 2015 collection. Bought for £1750 and unworn with box and 2 x long dustbags (box shows a little wear). Made from ...Category
2010s Unknown Shoes
- Saint Laurent, Black patent leather niki bootsBy Saint LaurentLocated in AMSTERDAM, NLSaint Laurent, Black patent leather niki boots. The item has been worn once and is in very good condition. Comes with dustbags and box. • CONDITION: very good condition • SIZE: 36...Category
2010s Shoes
- Green Leather Céline Phoebe Philo Knee High Boots 38By CelineLocated in Los Angeles, CAGreen Leather Céline Boots Hits right under knee Soft Almond Toe Stacked Wooden Heel Buttery soft leather interior EU38, fits true Heel height 4 inches Minor but noticeable sc...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Dries Van Noten Embossed Leather T-Strap Curved Heel Size 37By Dries van NotenLocated in Los Angeles, CADries Van Noten Embossed T-Strap Sandals Black Leather Tall Curved Heel, Wrapped in Embossed Leather Wrap Around Straps & Buckle Closure at Ankles Size: 37, Fits true Heel height 4.5...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Shoes
- Maud Frizon 1990's Heels Embossed Leather Size 9By Maud FrizonLocated in Los Angeles, CA1990's Maud Frizon Paris Ankle Strap, Elongated Toe with Elegant Vamp Silver Hardware Lizard Embossed Black Leather with Self Wrapped Heel Size US 9, fits a little narrow Heel height...Category
Late 20th Century French Shoes
- Joseph Debach Handmade Zipper MulesLocated in Glasgow, GBHandmade Joseph Debach mules from the eponymous brand. Upper is stiffened fabric with zipper detail running all the way through in a swirling mass. Backless, clog style with a pointe...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
- Gold Patent Chanel Slide SandalsBy ChanelLocated in Glasgow, GBGold metallic patent leather slide sandals from Chanel. From the Chanel Pre-Fall Metiers d’Arts Egyptian collection from 2019, which was shown in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Bold...Category
2010s French Shoes