Christian Louboutin Gold Silk Ruffle Stiletto Heels Size 40
View Similar Items
Christian Louboutin Gold Silk Ruffle Stiletto Heels Size 40
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Silk
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Thousand Oaks, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU126637965292
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.
- ALAIA Grey Suede Studded Booties Size 39By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAThese pair of ALAIA heels are the perfect winter shoes! Made with grey suede and an intricate studded design. Would look great with any casual daytime loo...Category
2010s Shoes
- Vintage 1990s Manolo Blahnik Multi-color Pumps Size 40By Manolo BlahnikLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAUnique, vintage, rare multi colored Manolo Blahnik pumps with pointed toe and multi colored pink, green, and purple. Burnished gold detail. Completely unworn. Size 40 Heel: 12 cm (...Category
1980s Shoes
$472 Sale Price30% Off - Guiseppe Zanotti Suede Black Booties Size US 7.5By Giuseppe LancettiLocated in Thousand Oaks, CA-Black Suede Curved Wedge Platform Ankle Boots - Avante Guard - super unique! -Size 7.5Category
2010s Shoes
$318 Sale Price30% Off - ALAIA Lace Up Dark Green High Heel Size 39By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAThis ALAÏA heels are stunning! -Lace-up style -Made of dark green leather. -Size 39 or 8.5 US -Great condition.Category
2010s Shoes
$595 Sale Price30% Off - Alaia Nude Mary-jane Pumps Size 40.5By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAAlaia Classic Nude Mary-Jane Pumps. Cross Strap around Ankle Mint Condition No signs of wear Size 40.5Category
2010s French Shoes
$346 Sale Price30% Off - Christian Dior Snake Skin Brown Cross Strap Platforms Size 40By Christian DiorLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAVintage Christian Dior Snake Skin Platforms Mint Condition - never worn Multicolor Brown with cross strap and adjustable ankle Slight platform for m...Category
2010s Shoes
$472 Sale Price30% Off
- Lanvin grey suede rose gold leather loafers NWOTBy Lanvin ParisLocated in Capri, ITLanvin grey suede rose gold leather loafers NWOT size 41 size 9Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Grey suede stiletto with mohair bow Nina RicciBy Nina RicciLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRGrey suede stiletto with mohair bowCategory
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
- Grey sued stiletto with blue lezard platform Nina RicciBy Nina RicciLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRGrey sued stiletto with blue lezard platformCategory
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
- 40s Red, Grey & Navy Blue Wedges Size 6Located in San Francisco, CA40s Red, Grey & Navy Blue Wedges Size 6. Suede and leather. Leather soles. Measurements: Insole: 9 1/2" Palm of the Foot: 2 3/4" Heel Height: 3 1/2" Approximately size 6 (...Category
1940s American Shoes
$249 Sale Price23% Off - Embossed Brown Leather Mules with Jeweled Gecko's Size 7.5 Made in ItalyLocated in University City, MOEmbossed brown leather mules with jeweled gecko Size 7.5 Made in Italy The stylish shoes are adorned with a whimsical gilt metal jeweled lizard on each shoe. The unique mules are ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
$145 Sale Price35% Off - 1990s Yves Saint Laurent Metallic Crossover Slingback HeelsBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Francisco, CA1990s Yves Saint Laurent Metallic Crossover Slingback Heels. Size 6 US M.Category
1990s Shoes