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In Galerie Véro–Dodat on rue Jean Jacques Rousseau, in the

first boutique. ©Christian Louboutin heart of Paris, Christian Louboutin re–opened the doors of his

Once he acquired some manual dexterity, in 1992 many other celebrities, who love to show off Louboutin’s
he decided to set up his own business with the help of creations on the world’s most important red carpets.
a friend, opening his atelier in the 1st arrondissement, But it’s not just shoes that the designer lives by:
Paris. And it seems that only two months after open- to celebrate his 20–year career, in 2012 he created a
ing, Princess Caroline of Monaco visited that atelier, capsule collection of 20 shoes and handbags, and lat-
becoming his first star client – first of a very long series er inaugurated the Christian Louboutin Beauté line of
– and thus launching him into the Olympus of the most cosmetics.
fashionable couturiers. It seems that red sole has really come a long way:
After this illustrious pioneer, so many other stars in 2018 it officially became the brand’s identifying sig-
competed for who would hold the most models of the nature, after Louboutin went to the Court of Justice of
red–soled fetish shoes, characterized by sensual lines the European Union to ask for exclusivity. Now, any
and high heels: from Beyoncé to Blake Lively and Kate attempt at imitation is impossible: those vertiginous,
Moss – to both of whom the designer has dedicated a flamboyant heels are the sole preserve of the French
model, which he named after them – and, again, Ma- designer. Who knows their uncomfortableness, but
donna, Lady Gaga, Victoria Beckham, Sarah Jessica then again, as he said, “I’m not going to say that a 12
Parker, Catherine Deneuve, Christina Aguilera (who cm heel is comfortable. But this is not about comfort,
owns more than 300 pairs) Dita Von Teese and many, this is about beauty.”

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