CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN black CROCODILE ROLANDO Platform Pumps Shoes 38.5
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. See Description for Details.
- Seller Location:Zürich, CH
- Reference Number:
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: Zürich, Switzerland
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- VALENTINO black leather 03 ROSE EDITION ATELIER Slides Sandals Shoes 38.5By ValentinoLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Valentino Garavani Atelier Shoe 03 Rose Edition black kidskin flat slide sandal with footbed. Upper embellished with different sized leather petals, creating a 3D rose...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- MARNI black leather CRYSTAL EMBELLISHED Flat Sandals Shoes 39By MarniLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Marni flats sandals in black & espresso brown leather embellished with clear crystals. Brand new. Measurements Imprinted Size 39 Shoe Size 39 Inside Sole 26cm (10.1i...Category
2010s Sandals
- SAINT LAURENT black velvet LOU LOU 70 STAR STUDDED Sandals Shoes 37By Saint LaurentLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Saint Laurent Lou Lou 70 mules in black velvet embellished with silver-tone metal stars. Have been worn once and are in virtually ...Category
2010s Shoes
- CHANEL black suede & grey knit 2021 21S SOCK HIGH TOP Sneakers Shoes 38By ChanelLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Chanel 2021 lace-up high-top sock sneakers in black suede, rubber and anthracite rib knit set on a white rubber sole. Have been worn and are in excellent condition. ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- GIANVITO ROSSI navy blue satin VERSILIA 60 Sandals Shoes 38By Gianvito RossiLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Gianvito Rossi Versilia 60 sandals in navy blue satin with a single band across the toe and an ankle strap. Have been worn once or twice and are in excellent condition...Category
2010s Shoes
- CHANEL black leather CHAIN T-STRAP CUT-OUT Pumps Shoes 38.5By ChanelLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Chanel Vintage pointed-toe ankle-strap sandals with signature gold-tone chain detail over the instep. Have been worn and are in excellent condition. Come with dust bag...Category
1990s Shoes
- VERSACE black leather sandals with metallic stiletto heel Sz 41By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Black leather ankle strap sandals Finished with metallic stiletto heel IT Size 41 Made in Italy Brand new. In VERSACE box.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Heels
- Balenciaga Black Leather and Mesh Race Runner Sneakers Size 40By BalenciagaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2The Balenciaga Race Runner sneakers have been crafted from quality materials and feature a chic silhouette. They flaunt covered toes, strap detailing on the vamps, and tie-up fasteni...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Rene Caovilla Black Lace Peep Toe Pumps Size 39By René CaovillaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2These stunning pumps by René Caovilla are the epitome of sophistication. Crafted in Italy, they are made from intricate lace and patent leather. They come in a classic shade of black...Category
2010s Italian Heels
- Stuart Weitzman Black Suede Embellished Boots Size IT 39By Stuart WeitzmanLocated in London, GBCONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to boots is evident. Minimal wear to the left boot heel with abrasions to the suede on this used Stuart Weitzman designer resale item. Details B...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Boots
- Vivienne Westwood 'Cut, Slash & Pull' Open Toe High Sole Platforms, Circa 1991By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBcA Pair of Vivienne Westwood high-soled open toe platform shoes covered in black satin with regular cuts throughout the surface, 'Cut, Slash & Pull' collection, spring-summer 1991.Category
1990s British Shoes
- CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Circonvolu Strass 85 crystal strappy evening sandals EU39By Christian LouboutinLocated in Hong Kong, NTCHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Circonvolu Strass 85 black crystal leather strappy evening sandals EU39 Reference: TGAS/D00400 Brand: Christian Louboutin Model: Circonvolu Strass 85 Material: Le...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian High Heels