Christian Louboutin Black Patent Bianca Spikes 140 Pumps Sz 39
View Similar Items
Christian Louboutin Black Patent Bianca Spikes 140 Pumps Sz 39
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 100-118881stDibs: LU2043850721
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.
- Chanel Black Grosgain Slingbacks with CC Pearl Camellia sz 37.5By ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Black Grosgrain Sling Backs w/Camelia & CC Pearl Made In: Italy Color: Black Materials: Grosgrain Closure/Opening: Slingbacks Overall Condition: Excellent - elastic detached ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Heels
- Chanel 2021 NEW Grey/Black Velvet Logo Sneakers sz 38By ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel 2021 Grey/Black Velvet Sneakers sz 38 Made In: Italy Year of Production: 2021 Color: Black, grey Materials: Velvet Closure/Opening: Front laces Ove...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- Chanel Vintage Black Leather CC Combat Boots sz 36By ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Vintage Black Leather Lace Up Combat Boots. Features quilted detail and CC detail and CHANEL pull at back of boot Made In: Spain Color: Black Materials: Leather Closure/Opening: Lace up and double sided zippers...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Boots
- YSL Yves Saint Laurent Black Textured Leather Tribtoo Platform 80 Pumps Sz 36By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent YSL Black Textured Leather Tribtoo Platform 80 Pumps Sz 36 Made In: Italy Color: Black Materials: Textured leather Closure/Opening: Slide ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- Lanvin Black Suede Wedge Boots sz 36By Lanvin ParisLocated in New York, NYLanvin Black Suede Wedge Boots sz 36 Made In: Italy Year of Production: Color: Black Materials: Suede Closure/Opening: Slip on Overall Condition: ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Boots
- Gucci Black Monogram Sneakers w/ Leather Trim sz 36.5By GucciLocated in New York, NYGucci Black Monogram Sneakers w/ Leather Trim sz 36.5 Made In: Italy Color: Black Hardware: Silvertone Materials: Leather Closure/Opening: Front Laces Overall Condition: Excellent p...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- Fendi Grey Patent Leather Zucca Heel Platform Pumps Size 40.5By FendiLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Crafted in Italy and made from patent leather, they feature sophisticated 12.5 cm heels covered with the signature Zucca print for a signature finish. These pumps feature peep toes, ...Category
2010s Italian Sandals
- Dolce & Gabbana black and gold embroidered silk velvet evening heels, ss 1998By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana black silk evening heels with gold embroidery, silver leather and red velvet interior and buckle fastening on ankle. Spring-Summer 1998 Size: 35.5Category
1990s Italian Shoes
- Azzedine Alaia black leather and crochet pointed heels, ca. 1985-1988By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GBPancaldi for Azzedine Alaia ca. 1985-1988Category
1980s Shoes
- Vivienne Westwood black suede round toe pumpsBy Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood black suede round toe pumps with buckle closure ca. 1986-1990Category
1980s British Shoes
- Martin Margiela black leather heeled pumps with sock boots, fw 1999By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in London, GBIntroducing the Martin Margiela Autumn-Winter 1999 shoes, a remarkable and innovative footwear creation from the avant-garde designer's iconic collection. Crafted from luxurious bla...Category
1990s Italian Shoes
- Gianni Versace black and gold Medusa silk platform sandals, S/S 1993By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBGianni Versace black silk platform sandals with bows and gold medusa coins. Velcro fastening. Spring-Summer 1993Category
1990s Italian Sandals