A Look Behind the Genius of Christian Louboutin

The famous Christian Louboutin retrospective Exhibition was created as a celebration of the 20th anniversary and presented at London’s prestigious Design Museum in 2012. It has arrived in Toronto and is taking over the Historic Trading Floor of Canada’s Design Museum. Open June 21 to September 15, 2013 the exhibit will contain a spectacular display of 250-plus shoes, sketches and personal artifacts from Christian Louboutin’s collection that will be featured alongside visual installations for a truly immersive experience.

Christian Louboutin shoes are not just shoes. Each pair is a work of art, each with its own history and aura. Many Louboutin fans are the most famous men and women of our time. The pleasure of owning the most exquisite footwear causes fashionistas around the world to covet them.

The wildly-anticipated exhibition reveals the artistry behind iconic red soled shoes, and the various sources of inspiration: classic films, music, theatre, circus, travel, architecture and even fairy tales.

There are nine sections presented in exhibition: Travel, Transparency, Entertainment, Architecture, The Showgirl, The Handcrafted, The Shadow theatre, The Atelier and the pearl of the exhibition (as well as Mr. Louboutin personal favourite): the Fetish corner. Visitors enter the Fetish area through the legs of a showgirl, in a dark labyrinth are images from the 2007 collaboration with David Lynch, as well as the one-off design created exclusively for the project.

Louboutin’s Showgirl

Of the many key themes presented in Louboutin’s collection, the most dominant is the showgirl. Since childhood he has been fascinated by showgirls. He saw these women as exotic creatures, clad in feathers like birds of paradise, rather than in costumes. He would often sneak into the backs of theatres to watch them perform in cabarets.

To illustrate this inspiration, the exhibition includes a three-dimensional holographic performance by Dita Von Teese; famous burlesque Diva and one of Louboutin’s most loyal customers.

All images courtesy of the Design Museum, London (2012). Photography Luke Hayes.

In addition to all the glitter and glamour, the exhibition offers fascinating insight into the world of Christian Louboutin. Items from his personal atelier: iconic designs and unique creations, showcase his masterful craftsmanship. Shoe lovers and design aficionados should not miss a chance to visit the retrospective to see first hand what secrets are hidden behind the red sole.