Looking Where Others Don’t: Christian Louboutin

Almost every woman I know has an undying love for shoes. They make us feel sexy, confident and can jazz up just about any outfit in our closets. And there’s no designer that understands this better than Christian Louboutin – the man behind the highly coveted red-soles. I was fortunate enough to get a glimpse inside the mind of this creative genius at the Design Exchange’s Grand Marnier Soiree.

The beautifully curated exhibit draws from Louboutin’s personal archive and celebrates 20 years of artistry and design. With over 250 pairs of shoes on display, visitors have the chance to peruse through and admire his creations – from stilettos and studded sneakers to bejewelled pumps and lace-up boots. But what captivated me the most were the quotes sprinkled throughout the exhibit that shed light on the sources behind Louboutin’s creativity…

“Ever since I was very young I have been obsessed with spike heels, the showgirls influenced me a lot. If you like high heels, it’s really the ultimate high heel, it’s all about the legs, how they carry themselves, the embellishment of the body. They are the ultimate icons.”

I fell in love with Louboutin’s sense of curiosity. I think this quote really captures his essence:

“There is always something to see including in places where you don’t expect to find anything. I try to look where others don’t.”

Although I’m not a fan of all of Louboutin’s designs (he’s got some pretty wild ones out there), I deeply respect him as an artist. His work is imaginative, sexy and playful. Above all, he is a risk-taker who feels the design process should be limitless. What an inspiration! Here are some of my favourite shoes from the exhibit:

Here are some of the more unusual designs we spotted: