Hot On His Heels

French shoe designer Christian Louboutin talks to Justine Lee about shopping habits, the addictive nature of social media and why it’s a good thing that Hong Kong women are spoiled.

- Justine Lee

It’s a sweltering summer’s day in Paris, the second-last day of Couture Week. I arrive just steps away from the Christian Louboutin office on Rue Jean-Jacques-Rousseau, at a house that Louboutin used to own. Filled with antique furniture, statues and heels and boots from his latest collection, it resembles one of Louboutin’s boutiques—whimsical and at times over the top.

The designer arrives a few minutes behind schedule but in good spirits. Couture Week is a busy time for Louboutin. As well as hosting his own show, he attends those of his designer friends. It was only last night that he presented his spring 2019 collection in a little theatre and dance school converted into “the wonderful world of Louboutin,” which tied into how he began his career—designing shoes for burlesque dancers.

“Busy day, busy days, busy week,” Louboutin laments about his schedule as he kicks off his red-soled penny loafers and adopts a comfortable perch on the sofa with his legs crossed. And it’s been a busy career since he launched his eponymous label in 1991, with the creative genius expanding into men’s accessories, handbags and, more recently, cosmetics and fragrance.

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