FOOTWEAR leaders Louboutin held a press presentation on the Rue de l’Oratoire to showcase its new range of men’s footwear. Presented with styled moodboards we were provided with an invaluable insight into the working process behind their iconic shoes. With images of inspiration, fabric samples and technical drawings, we are able to understand the new collections origins.
Leopard print, paper bags and geometric patterns all featured on the corkboards. Louboutin’s muse, Princess Diana and the famous image of her visiting the Taj Mahal drew attention. Diana being the inspiration behind the first pair of Louboutin shoes, the Love shoe, it became obvious that the brands humble beginnings inspired this menswear range.
With each shoe graced with a red sole, the collection ranged from tasselled loafer to Cuban ankle books. Classic styles have been reimagined with brash colours and statement print voicing the content of the moodboards. Leopard and geometric trainers are finished with chunky soles adding an element of femininity and a nod to Louboutin’s original Love shoe. A more accessible ankle trainer in a moss green puts a street wear spin on the collection. The show stopping pair incorporated paper Louboutin bags trapped in inside transparent plastic in a simplistic ankle trainer design.
by Todd Burns