Christian Louboutin Pigalle Plato heels
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 36.5 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3909222504662
Christian Louboutin
The iconic red-soled shoes by Christian Louboutin (b. 1963) have made it onto almost every red carpet since the French designer opened his first boutique in Paris in 1992. His fantastical heels have gained attention and praise for their provocative heights and arching shapes, leading the designer to be nicknamed the “King of Stilettos.”
Since childhood, Louboutin was artistic; he began sketching shoes at the age of 10 and later studied drawing at the Académie d’Art Roederer. However, it was the regular visits to the Musée national des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie, then in the Palais de la Porte Dorée, that inspired his interest in women’s shoes. Growing up in the Paris neighborhood of the museum, he regularly spent weekends there and became fascinated by a sign asking women not to wear heels on account of the antique wooden floors. The severe arch of the heel on the sign and the violent red slash through it inspired him to think about shoes as something that could be dangerous and powerful in their allure. As he has said, “I wanted to create something that broke rules and made women feel confident and empowered.”
Breaking rules came naturally to Louboutin, who dropped out of school at the age of 16 and traveled to Egypt and India. When he returned to Paris in 1981, he had his mind set on shoe design and was hired by French fashion designer Charles Jourdan whose women’s shoe designs had been popular amongst the Paris elite since 1919. Louboutin later worked as a freelancer for such fashion houses as Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Roger Vivier.
When he went out on his own and opened his first boutique in the Galerie Véro-Dodat covered passage, Princess Caroline of Monaco became his first famous client. The now-revered red sole emerged with his third collection, when Louboutin noticed an assistant painting her nails bright red. He tried applying the polish to a sole and was enamored with the results. Soon, his glossy, red-bottomed heels were all the rage in the fashion world.
Today, Louboutin sells his wares in department stores and over 50 Louboutin boutiques across the world. Beyond shoes, he has also expanded into accessories, beauty lines and handbags, launching the Passage collection of bags in 2014, inspired by the location of his first boutique. Conceptual pieces like his 2007 “Pumps,” now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, have taken his stilettos to the extreme with a ballet-like en pointe silhouette balanced on a spiked heel. Louboutin is a go-to designer for celebrities, including Blake Lively, Mariah Carey, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Lopez (who has a song about the famed shoes), among hundreds of others. In February 2020, a retrospective of his career opened in the Palais de la Porte Dorée where it all began.
Find vintage Christian Louboutin shoes, sneakers, handbags and other items on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Saint Laurent Freja Rose 105 Heels Fall 2017By Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent, Saint LaurentLocated in London, GBStunning Saint Laurent Freja Rose 105 heels from the Fall 2017 runway. Look 50. Bought for £1455 and are unworn with sticker to base and large, lined layer dustbag. Superbly crafted ...Category
2010s Unknown Shoes
- Manolo Blahnik Vintage Green Velvet Crystal Buckle Regency PumpsBy Manolo BlahnikLocated in London, GBGorgeous vintage Manolo Blahnik Regency pumps, in amazing unworn condition and come with dustbag. Made from emerald green velvet, they have elongated toes, faux strap fronts with spa...Category
Early 2000s Unknown Shoes
- Alexandre Vauthier Raquel 105 Red Patent Ankle BootsBy Alexandre VauthierLocated in London, GBSuper fierce Alexandre Vauthier Raquel 105 ankle boots. bought for £620 and worn once inside. Come with dustbag. Made from super glossy bright red patent leather, they have pointed t...Category
Early 2000s Unknown Shoes
- Alexandre Vauthier Camo Printed Chain Trim SandalsBy Alexandre VauthierLocated in London, GBSuper fierce Alexandre Vauthier camouflage printed canvas sandals. bought for £575 and unworn with dustbag. Made from camo printed canvas with ring trimmed toe and ankle straps. Have...Category
Early 2000s Unknown Shoes
- Gianvito Rossi leopard calf hair ankle strap pumpsBy Gianvito RossiLocated in London, GBCute and chic Gianvito Rossi leopard calf hair ankle strap pumps - bought for £700 and unworn with dustbag. Made from calf hair with black patent buckles, they have rounded toes and ...Category
2010s Unknown Shoes
- Gianvito Rossi red stretch-lace and suede sock bootsBy Gianvito RossiLocated in London, GBSuper sexy Gianvito Rossi 105 stretch-lace and suede sock boots - bought for £950 and worn once for an hour. come with dustbag. Made from stretchy bri...Category
2010s Unknown Shoes
- Black Gucci Suede Peep-Toe Slingbacks Size 37Located in New York, NYPre-owned. Very good. Minimal wear throughout. Slight discoloration at outer soles.Category
2010s Shoes
- Jimmy Choo Black Patent Strappy Sandal Heels - 40By Jimmy ChooLocated in West Palm Beach, FLJimmy Choo Black Patent Strappy Sandal Heels - 40. These adorable Jimmy Choo heels are in excellent condition with only minimal wear to the sole. They feature a simple, but feminin...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Emilio Pucci Black Satin Strappy Sandal Heels w/ Rhinestone Detail - 41By Emilio PucciLocated in West Palm Beach, FLEmilio Pucci Black Satin Strappy Sandal Heels w/ Rhinestone Detail - 41. These beautiful heels are in excellent condition with only minimal wear to the sole from minor use. They fe...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- YSL Champagne Colored Satin Strappy Thick Straw Wedges - 41By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Palm Beach, FLYSL Champagne Colored Satin Strapped Thick Straw Wedge - 41. These thick, straw, wedges have metallic champagne colored satin straps interweaving on the top of the shoes. They are in...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoes
- Salvatore Ferragamo Black Pony Hair Loafers w/ Silver Front Buckle - 7AABy Salvatore FerragamoLocated in West Palm Beach, FLSalvatore Ferragamo Black Pony Hair Loafers w/ Silver Front Buckle - 7AA. These shoes have minor wear at the bottom of the soul and a small piece of the rubber underneath that is mi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Salvatore Ferragamo Black Woven Leather Pump - 7AABy Salvatore FerragamoLocated in West Palm Beach, FLSalvatore Ferragamo Black Woven Leather Pump - 7AA. These shoes are in excellent condition with only visible wear to the soles. They feature a lovely black leather, an intricate wo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes