Shoe History Corner: Louboutin’s first red sole

This year marks the twentieth anniversary that Christian Louboutin has been painting our soles in red.  So, isn’t it fitting that we do a Louboutin post?  Today’s shoe of the day is Christian Louboutin’s “Pensée”.   This  60s inspired pop art flower has the unique distinction of being the first to feature the the red sole that has countless admirers worldwide.

To celebrate Louboutin’s 20th anniversary, a special collection is being released that consists of recreated versions of the brand’s top styles and personal favorites.  The collection is limited to approximately 25 department stores and boutiques in the United States.  If you are interested in learning more about the collection, please contact our SA Greg Grady at Nordstrom.  He can be reached at greg.grady@nordstrom.com or 206-478-3552.

The Perfect Halloween Shoe

Could you ask for a more perfect Halloween shoe?

The Louboutin Spiderweb D’Orsay is for a glamorous Morticia Addams looking to sweep her way through a fashionable Halloween.

No cheap ticket, this shoe is $1795. On the other hand, I think the lighter color of this shoe is wearable with more outfits. The dark is a bit of an intense statement, don’t you think?

Crystals, satin, a 4-inch heel … this is fancy Halloween gear, but if you’re going to a very high-end party, this is the perfect shoe.

Louboutin Spiderweb D’Orsay, $1795 at NeimanMarcus.com.

Shoe Deja Vu: Louboutin’s Spiked Clou Noeud

You may remember Louboutin’s Clou Noeud with the girly bow on the toe & the all-over spikes….If not, here’s another peek:

Christian Louboutin Clou Noeud  (sold out) , original retail $1195

Well, since these have been out for over a year, I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised that mainstream imitations are available at lower-end prices.

(more…)

Shoe News You Can Use (To Buy Some Awesome Stuff)

Everyone knows by now that Louboutin lost the lawsuit trying to prevent YSL from making shoes with red soles, right? I mean, most ladies buying that level of footwear can tell a Loubie from a YSL from a mile away, and wouldn’t buy a red-soled shoe from Payless anyways.  From the NYT.com article: 

“But recognition aside, the court ruled that allowing Louboutin to claim that scarlet sole as its own would have been like forbidding Monet from using a specific shade of blue in his Water Lilies series because Picasso had been there first with paintings from his Blue Period.”

Great, so we can move on.

Specifically, to the IT SHOE OF THE MOMENT, YSL’s Robyn, at left. No red sole needed. NYMag.com named it the Best Bet for today. Click for purchasing details and cost.

In other news, Fashions Night Out has just launched its website! Where will you go? What will you do? The possibilities will be endless, from hot DJ’s to celebrity sightings to free manicures to shoes galore (on models, on celebs, on mannequins, in your hands and on their way home to your closet!).  Check out FNO here. (More event deets will be added as the date gets closer).

Lastly, check out some looks for spring in Footwear News, with a slideshow on vintage-inspired wooden heels with 1970′s silhouettes, woven uppers and natural colors. Surely Bottega Veneta will be at the forefront of this look come spring, knowing how well it does neutrals and woven shoes!

Happy Shopping!

Louboutin has eyes for you

Quite literally, Christian Louboutin’s Deja Vu slingbacks have got their eyes on you.   While there is a novelty factor involved in this particular Louboutin zany design, I’m not impressed.  First, the $1,595 price tag means you’ve got to be a collector or perhaps Lady Gaga herself to wear these shoes.  Plus, I figure a second or third grader could glue eyes onto shoes for their art project.

What are you thoughts?  Innovative, quirky, creepy (perhaps for Halloween?), or cool?