Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVII

T he signature Louboutin sole is nothing less than an iconic creation from a man who had such a clear vision, starting early on in his career. Born in 1964, Christian Louboutin was raised by a bevy of strong women – his mother for one, but he also had three sisters. As the only boy, he couldn't help observing the behaviours of these incredible ladies. Watching them get ready for the day or night, the young Christian was gaining influence and inspiration without even realising it. His passion for art and beautiful objects then shaped him into the remarkable designer he is today – a man who thinks outside the shoebox. Whilst the 1970s offered mainly flat soles and chunky heels, he knew a change would be a good thing. With Paris as the backdrop for his escapades, Louboutin's imagination for design – especially shoes – was fed in abundance. The Palace was a nightclub he frequented, along with other music venues and theatres, all of which contributed to him thinking of his footwear being perfect for dancers and performers. Indeed, in the 1980, his dream came true when an apprenticeship was offered to him at the Folies Bergère where it all began. His work took him all over the world, for many different brands, but it wasn't until 1991, when Louboutin chanced upon an opportunity to open a boutique in the Palais Royal, that his eyes were really opened to the potential career before him. With the help of business partners, Louboutin jumped at the chance to open the boutique and his brand was born. Success was imminent, and soon his designs were being sold and showcased in other boutiques and major departments stores globally. When working on a shoe design in 1992, the Pensée, Louboutin was influenced by many moods and trends. The Pop Art movement, led by Andy Warhol, was a particularly major inspiration, with its original and thought-provoking art that – whilst controversial – has stood the test of time. But once the Pensée shoe had its prototype examined by Louboutin, there was something missing. Not being sure what it was, he glanced over to his assistant who was painting her nails and the lightbulb moment hit. He proceeded to decorate the sole of the shoe with the lacquer, and thus the vision was complete. “The red sole was born from red nail polish. I am giving back to nails what the shoe took from the nails many years ago,” Louboutin has said of this flash of inspiration. As the man and the brand evolved, and his creations were being avidly sought out, expansion was inevitable. Women longed to slip on red-soled heels and totter around town with that famous, fabulous flash of red on the bottoms of their feet. The mark of true indulgence and originality, no one had created such a statement in footwear. As the red sole came from nail polish, it was ever thus that the story would come full circle. But all in good time – Louboutin is not someone who rushes things. A true designer and artist, his release of a beauty product was one that needed due time and attention. Just as the toes are the finishing point of a woman's posture, so too are the fingernails to her feminine motions. For Louboutin, it's always been about strengthening a woman's already present nature by giving it a real boost, not just a nudge. To enhance the highest quality lacquer that has a mirror-shine finish, combined with the finest pigment quality, was one goal. Two coats of Louboutin Beauté lacquer equates to twenty of another. Louboutin wanted the bottle itself to stand out from the crowd. Just like each of his footwear creations, his nail polish bottle would adhere to this testament and be a work of beauty art. The glass bottle takes inspiration from a stone – a crystal, no less. Each colour of nail polish is housed in a capsule, with multi-faceted sides that are a vision to behold as it appears to float. Architecture is the key influence behind its structure, in particular the balustrades found in European buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. The signature Rouge Louboutin is, of course, the hero product in the line. Designed in 2007, Louboutin's highest heel, the Ballerina Ultima, is the muse for all of the bottle caps. With the philosophy that rouge goes with everything, the unforgettable solid red is one to be encased in its own individual package, so an ombré bottle was created. The blackest of black then graduates to the classic red, a powerful yet classic combination. Both, too, give a nod to the original Louboutin creation of a black patent heel with the red sole. We're subconsciously already familiar with this vision. This red was one that everybody could enjoy. Suitable for all skin tones and to complement any outfit, it's a colour that no one can deny. Even in application, with its triangular-shaped brush, Louboutin wanted his woman to use the nail products with pleasure. It was to be an experience and one – as with his shoes – to take your time with, to relish in the ritual and the instinctual delight of colour. Colour, as we know, comes inmany guises. Not only the iconic red but thirty others are accounted for: ten bright tones in The Pops, ten darker ones in The Noirs, and ten pretty tonal choices in The Nudes will go with a woman's unique skin hues. Each is also named to give it a personality of its own. To call a shade after a shoe was a natural choice, as well as using creatures like birds of paradise. Each name speaks for itself and you'll know they're carefully nominated by the man himself and his professional team. The caps also differentiate each colour family. The Pops are accented with silver, The Noirs have a rich gunmetal, and The Nudes are finished off with a warm rose gold. As Louboutin's creations evolve, so, then, the Beauté will inevitably continue in the same vein. It is a never-ending story of discovery both for the designer and the wearer, with new and exciting additions to be unveiled when the time is right. Each creation needs to be perfected; and only when the master himself is happy, they'll be showcased to the world. We wait with bated breath. Chr i s t i an Loubout in : the He art and Soul B ehind the Red Sol e The red sole. A flash of timeless elegance, confidence and allure. 2 3 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I