Christian Louboutin Black Patent Leather Pumps
View Similar Items
Christian Louboutin Black Patent Leather Pumps
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 5.5 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14727538021
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.
- Black Sergio Rossi Suede Pointed-Toe Knee-High BootsBy Sergio RossiLocated in New York, NYBlack suede pointed-toe knee-high heeled boots by Sergio Rossi. Pull-on style. 15" shaft height, 3.5" heel height.Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
$176 Sale Price20% Off - Grey & Black Chanel Suede Embellished Platform OxfordsBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYGrey and black suede cap-toe platform oxfords by Chanel. Silver-tone metal adornments at heels. Lace-up tie closures at tops. 2.5" platform height, 4" heel height.Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Olive Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Driving LoafersBy Bottega VenetaLocated in New York, NYOlive Intrecciato leather driving loafers by Bottega Veneta. Rubber bumpers at counters and at soles.Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
$436 Sale Price20% Off - Tan & Multicolor Christian Louboutin Leopard Print Ponyhair & Leather WedgesBy Christian LouboutinLocated in New York, NYTan and multicolor leopard print ponyhair and leather wedge slingbacks by Christian Louboutin. Gold-tone buckle closures at slingback straps. 4" heel height. Designer Size: 37 US Re...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
$148 Sale Price20% Off - Black Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Platform Sandals Size 36.5By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYBlack leather Tribute platform sandals by Yves Saint Laurent. Gold-tone buckle closures at ankle straps. 1.25" platform height, 5.5" heel height.Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Stuart Weitzman Beige Suede Cork Wedge SandalsBy Stuart WeitzmanLocated in New York, NYProduct Details: Beige suede and cork wedge sandals by Stuart Weitzman. Gold-tone buckle closures at ankle straps. 1.5" platform height, 5" heel hei...Category
2010s American Shoes
$172 Sale Price20% Off
- 2006 Chanel Spring Collection Leather BootsBy ChanelLocated in Toronto, OntarioBlack leather Chanel kitten heel leather boots from the 2006 Spring RTW collection. Featured prominently on the runway, these black tone on t...Category
Early 2000s French Shoes
- 1980s Mario Valentino Black Suede Knee BootsBy Mario ValentinoLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Mario Valentino black suede knee high boots with whipstitch detail. The boots have an almond shaped toe box and a low to mid height block heel. Pirate inspired, the gorgeous bo...Category
1980s Italian Shoes
- Vintage Christian Lacroix Multi Colored Fabric Bow Shoes 3.5 " Heels 35.5 or 5By Christian LacroixLocated in Portland, ORThese are fabulous Christian Lacroix sandals with 3 and 1/2 inch, polka dot inner soles and 3 patterned bows. These vintage shoes are 3 inches at the widest part of the outside of t...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Shoes
- Missoni Size 36 / 6 Green + Yellow Zig Zag Platforms Peep Toe High Heels ShoesBy MissoniLocated in San Diego, CAAdd a bit of jazz to any outfit in these early 2000s vintage MISSONI peep toe platform high heels ! Features the signature chevron zig zag patterns in kelly green, yellow, white and ...Category
Early 2000s Italian High Heels
$628 Sale Price20% Off - Marni Size 10 / 40 Early 2000s Black Suede Cut - Out Knee High Wedges BootsBy MarniLocated in San Diego, CAEarly 2000s MARNI black suede leather cut-out knee high wedges boots ! The perfect statements boots that retailed for $1,700 when purchased. Can easily be dressed up or down, day or ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Boots
- Manolo Blahnik Pointed Toe Snakeskin Pattern Slingback ShoesBy Manolo BlahnikLocated in Portland, ORThese timeless Manolo Blahnik pointed toe leather slingbacks are in a gorgeous metallic snakeskin pattern with hues of silver and green. The back of the slingback is elastic for easy...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Heels