How Christian Louboutin fell in love with Melides in Portugal

The wild beauty of this seaside village charmed the French fashion designer so much that he made it his home

- Joe Bromley

Where is your favourite destination and why?

Definitely Melides in Portugal — it’s a charming village. I used to own a place nearby and while sketching a new collection I cut myself quite badly. On the way back from the hospital, after a few stitches, I spotted a sand path alongside a lagoon and decided to drive in to have a look. We got stuck in the sand and while waiting for the tow truck I fell in love with this landscape of smooth dunes, umbrella pines and traditional fishermen’s shacks. After some research I found one to buy and year after year I extended the compound. Now it’s like a summer camp made of a few huts facing the lagoon: the kitchen here, two bedrooms this way, a living room there… And meals outside on the terrace. It’s very relaxed.

When was the last time you were there, and who were you with?

Last August for two weeks, as every year. Usually, it’s a time for a huge friends and family reunion.

Where do you like to stay there?

At my place. But when it’s too busy, I send my friends to Vermelho, the hotel I opened last year in the centre of the village. Originally, I was going to open a restaurant — until the mayor convinced me the plot of land was big enough to open a hotel. It was my first hospitality project and it was quite clear to me I didn’t want a hotel with standardised rooms, etc. It had to be more like a big maison de famille, where friends and family from all over the world would feel like they were at home. Each room is different and decorated with artworks from my own collection or tailor-made by local artists and artisans.

What has been your favourite meal there?