Christian Louboutin "Belle" Ankle Boots (40)
View Similar Items
Christian Louboutin "Belle" Ankle Boots (40)
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 40 (ITL) (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Port Hope, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5381428643
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.
- Romeo Gigli Black Leather Booties 36.5By Romeo GigliLocated in Port Hope, ONButtery soft leather Gigli booties with three adjustable bow wraps. Absolutely gorgeous and in great condition. 2" heelsCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
$234 Sale Price30% Off - Ann Demeulemeester Gladiator Wedges 36By Ann DemeulemeesterLocated in Port Hope, ONIn great condition, these Ann Demeulemeester tan leather open toe gladiator wedges are so fashionable. They come up to your ankle, and although they have adjustable straps for easy w...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
$295 Sale Price21% Off - Dolce & Gabbana Black Satin Peep Toe Evening Shoes 39Located in Port Hope, ONWhat is special about this black satin with the ankle strap and peep toe is of course the inverted heel. The molded sole gives you the almost flat feel, but wear them and you are wea...Category
2010s Shoes
- Louis Vuitton High Tops 37.5By Louis VuittonLocated in Port Hope, ONHigh tops can be worn at any time and with most outfits. These are Louis Vuitton perforated High tops. The perforations are on the side and quite vi...Category
2010s French Shoes
- Giuseppe Zanotti White Grommet Stiletto Sandals 37.5By Giuseppe ZanottiLocated in Port Hope, ONThese 4" heel glam rock style all leather sandals are decorated with silver tone grommets, and have a concealed back zip. The sandals are in excellent condition with just a small imp...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
$266 Sale Price37% Off - Jimmy Choo "Neyo 120" Nude Cork Wedges 37 As NewBy Jimmy ChooLocated in Port Hope, ONLovely nude colored suede with cork wedges and rubber soles. These are edgy and comfortable. They feature open toes; adjustable ankle strap; a cork wedge with the Jimmy Choo logo inc...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
$148 Sale Price49% Off
- Adidas X Jeremy Scott Gorilla Sneaker Black 2012 (11 US)Located in Montreal, QuebecRelease Date: 05/03/2012 COLOR: Black ITEM CODE: V24424 SIZE: 11 US / 42 EU Mens EST. RETAIL: $200 CONDITION: Excellent - like new shoes. Made in IndonesiaCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- Nicholas Kirkwood 18mm Monstera Ballerina Flats (37.5 EU)Located in Montreal, QuebecConstructed using semi-sheer black mesh with a unique faceted heel, the point-toe flat is an elevated take on an everyday silhouette. The crystal-covered leaf embellishment adds stat...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Gucci Pincetown Tiger Backless Loafers (5.5 US)By GucciLocated in Montreal, QuebecThis model is made with black leather and feature almond toes, gold tone horsebit at vamp, tiger embroidery on the uppers and leather lining, insoles ...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Alaia Studded Stiletto Bootie Black (39.5 EU)By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Montreal, QuebecCOLOR: Black MATERIAL: leather and studs SIZE: 38.5 EU / 8 US HEEL HEIGHT: 130 mm / 5” CONDITION: New. COMES WITH: Dust bag and box Made in ItalyCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Dior Vintage Reptile Skin Black Bucked Pump (EU 36)By Christian DiorLocated in Montreal, QuebecCOLOR: Black MATERIAL: Reptile skin SIZE: 36 EU / 5 US HEEL HEIGHT: 75 mm / 3” COMES WITH: Dust bag and box CONDITION: Excellent - like new. Never used. Made in ItalyCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Chanel Black Suede Open Toe Sandal Pump (38.5 EU)By ChanelLocated in Montreal, QuebecCOLOR: Black MATERIAL: Suede SIZE: 38.5 EU / 7.5 US COMES WITH: Box, extra jewls CONDITION: Excellent - shoes look pristine. Minimal signs of wear with scrapes and scuffs on the bott...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes