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.
New Cabata Leather Tote Bag by Christian Louboutin 2025
By Christian Louboutin
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful new never used Cabata tote by iconic designer Christian Louboutin excellent new condition.
Leather
Christian Dior – Shell Porcelain Vide-Pocket
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHRISTIAN DIOR – PORCELAIN VIDE-POCKETCirca 2000 Vide-pocketinporcelain, decorated with ashell motifinblue and mauve tones. Signed on the re...
Porcelain
Vitrix Hot Glass Studio Organic Folded Edge Bowl, New York Art Glass
By Thomas Kelly
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Striking Organic Modern bowl was hand blown with fluid, folded edge. The colored yellow and brown glass inclusions were placed in abstract, graphic pattern on peachy beige background, with the whole structure enclosed in clear glass in sommerso technique. Minimal color palette balances complex shape of the piece, and the subtle flow of the pattern guides the eye along the folded glass surfaces. The bowl is signed and dated by the artist in etching on the bottom. Thomas Kelly is an established glass artist working in Vitrix Hot Glass studio in Corning, New York. He started in the glass studios of Alex Brand and Thomas Buechner where he had the opportunity to learn from two distinctly different artists, each having their own unique talents; Kelly worked for 10 years with Thomas Buechner III at Vitrix Hot Glass Studio, developing his glass working skills and aesthetic sensitivity. At Vitrix, visiting artists such as Lino Tagliapietra and Fritz Dreisbach...
Glass, Art Glass
$729 / item
H 8.2 in W 19.6 in D 15.7 in
"Carol" Leather Bag Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
By Claude Bouchard, Oscar Maschera
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Carol" is a leather bag, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera. It looks like the archetype of a paper bag made in leather. Genuine Italian leather vegetabl...
Leather
Early 20th Century French Leather Tool Bag from a Train
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th-century French leather tool bag hails from the Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français (SNCF), France's national train service e...
Leather
$647
H 11 in W 22 in D 15 in
Vintage, Handy and Decorative Large Leather Travel Bag or Magazine Bag Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Cool leather bag that can be used for many purposes. Those of you with a creative mind will immediately see there can be many more purposes to this stylish leather bag then what it ...
Leather
Fine multipurpose bag FABIA HABITA - Regenerated leather
By Limac Design
Located in Conegliano, IT
The fine multipurpose bag FABIA HABITA is the new proposal from the LIMAC DESIGN® line. The regenerated leather bin with a unique design and practical leat...
Leather
$1,748
H 7.49 in W 32.68 in D 33.47 in
Handcrafted Mid-Century Modern Coral Bowl in White Onyx, Mexico, 2025
Located in Miami, FL
Handcrafted in Mexico from Natural Onyx What makes Alabaja truly special is not only its sculptural presence, but the story it carries within its stone. Each bowl is entirely handcr...
Onyx
$640Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 17 in D 17 in
Egyptian Revival Bowl by George Lamiè, Hand-Painted Clay, New Design
By George Lamiè
Located in Atlanta, GA
The Predynastic era, spanning approximately 4500 to 3100 BCE, marks the earliest shaping of Egypt’s visual and material identity. It was a formative age when utility, spirituality, a...
Clay
New Volumes Terracotta Earth Wirri vessel by Lucy Simpson
Located in CREMORNE, AU
An elegant patterned vessel measuring around 600 millimetres in length, based on a bark coolamon and water carrier. A versatile piece – use it as display or on a tabletop – that cele...
Terracotta
Rattan and Leather Bag, Bohemian Style, France, 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Woven rattan and leather bag, bohemian style, France, 20th century. Charming round bag made from woven natural fibers, adorned with brown braided leather handles. Its handcrafted nature highlights the beauty of the natural materials and the authenticity of the weaving, characteristics of timeless bohemian accessories. Originally designed as a fashion accessory, this bag can also be used as a decorative element in a bohemian, Mediterranean, or country chic interior. Its natural and relaxed aesthetic evokes traditional craftsmanship and vacation accessories prized throughout the 20th century. A charming decorative piece, ideal for lovers of vintage items and natural fiber craftsmanship. Style : Bohemian Craftsmanship Mediterranean Rustic Chic Vintage Key Features : Braided natural fibers Brown braided leather handles Round shape Handmade Natural materials France, 20th century Keywords : rattan bag, woven straw bag...
Leather, Rattan
Long Handle Palm Leaf Tote Bag
Located in Hook, Hampshire
Long Handle Palm Leaf Tote Bag. Woven for us on the western coast of Morocco using the distinct pale palm leaf tightly woven with simple leather handles for over the shoulder.
Seagrass
$550
H 1.5 in W 15.5 in D 6.5 in
Andrianna Shamaris Oval Teak Wood Platter, Organic Modern Design, New
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Minimalist shallow platter hand carved from a single piece of aged teak wood and finished with a natural oil revealing the beautiful wood grain. Own an Andrianna Shamaris original.
Wood