Christian Louboutin was born in January 1964. He’s a french fashion designer whose high-end high heels brought him to fame and great fortune world wide. His unique, shiny red-lacquered soles have become his signature.
Louboutin started out freelancing for various designers like Chanel and YSL before starting his own salon in Paris. It was when celebrities started wearing his footwear that his business really took off. His first customer at his salon in 1991 was Princess Caroline of Monaco. Other clients followed such as Diane von Fürstenberg and Catherine Deneuve. Now celebrities around the world who wear Louboutin included Christina Aguilera, Joan Collins, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Tina Turner, Nicki Minaj, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Blake Lively. Sarah Jessica Parker famously wore a pair of shoes by Louboutin for her wedding even though for years all we ever heard about from her was Manolo Blahnik.
To date his firm has since added men’s footwear, handbags, fragrances and makeup to their offerings.
It is interesting to know that Louboutin’s interest in shoes began in 1976, when he visited the National Museum of Arts of Africa and Oceania in Paris. It was there that he saw a sign from Africa forbidding women wearing sharp heeled shoes from entering the building due to potential damage to the wood flooring. I get this as my parents had the same problem with me when I damaged their entry hall floor due to my heels.
This sign stayed with Louboutin, and he later used the idea in the design of his shoes. He claims he wanted to defy the notice. He wanted to break the rules and made women feel confident and empowered.
In our Rancho Mirage estate sales it’s common to find Louboutin shoes, handbags, and accessories as well as lots of Chanel, Ferragamo, St. John, Gucci, and Escada due to the fantastic local shopping in town. Clients have a hard time letting go of Louboutin, unless of course, they are selling to buy the newest and latest!
Contact us if you are thinking of recycling some of your designer items. It is always a win-win for all.
New Christian Louboutin shoes retail from about $600 to about $4000.00. Over the knee studded boots are about $3000 ($6,000 from YSL). Resale offers a discount depending on condition and desirability. Much of the resale market for Louboutin shoes are wedding, special occasion, and regret as it is easy to get caught up in the moment when seeing these beauties in the fine lights of Neiman Marcus and other luxury stores.
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