NYLON - May 2008 - (Page 66) SEXY BEAST There is nothing like wearing a pair of expensive heels, especially if those heels are created by Christian Louboutin, a man who knows how to make the foot look more desirable and erotic than a naked body. His creations force the hips to sway a little more, causing the wearer to strut instead of walk, and that’s one of the reasons Hollywood starlets choose his heels for both everyday traipsing and red-carpet events. As an avid Louboutin fan myself, I can attest that his heels will transform you into someone who has a little more oomph than usual. Growing up in Paris, Louboutin had a fascination with showgirls. He loved their grace when they performed, the elaborate, skimpy costumes that hugged their curves, and he adored the vibrant atmosphere at the nightclubs where they danced. Louboutin would hang around the clubs and sketch heels in his notebooks instead of doing schoolwork. At the tender age of 16, he began selling his designs to dancers at the Follies Bergère and shortly thereafter landed apprenticeships with iconic French houses Charles Jourdan and Roger Vivier. After honing his skills, Louboutin decided he wanted to design his own line of shoes. So, in 1992, he secured some financial backing and went into business for himself, opening his first boutique in Paris on Rue Jean- CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN—ALSO KNOWN AS “THE REDSOLE STILETTO KING”—IS RENOWNED FOR DESIGNING SOME OF THE HOTTEST HEELS IN TINSELTOWN. WHAT’S HIS SECRET? BY RAJNI LUCIENNE JACQUES. PHOTOGRAPHED BY CAMERON KRONE Jacques Rousseau. It was a shoebox of a store, but it served as a showroom for all of the gorgeous designs that eventually got him noticed. As outlandish as some of his handcrafted heels can be––feathers wrap around ankles to resemble a bird; engraved metal platforms have pink suede straps––his signature style is a classic pump silhouette, just on a higher heel or with the addition of a platform. He is known for spicing up timeless shapes with exotic skins and unusual color combinations, and because he creates his heels with every type of woman in mind, he has effortlessly expanded his clientele from sexy cabaret dancers to leading ladies and Hollywood It Girls such as Ashley Olsen, Jessica Alba, and Mischa Barton. In the process, the allure of the Louboutin name has sparked an international buying frenzy, which has transformed the shoes into something bigger than their designer could have ever imagined. The trademark red sole sends out a message saying “look at me” to everyone who catches a glimpse. And if you’ve ever slipped your feet into a pair of Louboutin heels, then you’ll understand that you’re doing more than just adding an accessory to your outfit: You’re making a statement, and who doesn’t want to do that? left to right: legs so long and lean in a louboutin heel; the santrixia shoe is a hybrid of a platform and an espadrille. hall of fame stylist: stella greenspan. hair and makeup: diane dasilva at dasilvamakeup.com using kiehl’s. model: vilita at ford. all clothing stylist’s own, all shoes by christian louboutin. still life: courtesy of christian louboutin. http://dasilvamakeup.com http://dasilvamakeup.com
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