Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Christian Louboutin

French luxury footwear designer Christian Louboutin in a documentary for W magazine. Author
Claudio Conti. WIKIMEDIA

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin is a French fashion designer whose high-end stiletto footwear incorporates shiny, red-lacquered soles that have become his signature. Christian was born on 7th January 1963. He was born and raised in Paris, France.

Christian was the only son of Roger who was a cabinet-maker and his mother, Irene a French homemaker from Brittany. Christian Louboutin has three sisters.

Growing up in his family, Christian questioned his dark-skin complexion which was different from his family members. He, later on, learned from his sister that his father was indeed an Egyptian who their mother had a secret relationship with.

Christian decided to drop out of school at a tender age which was not welcomed by his parents. However, his mother allowed him to live with a friend which pushed him to become a member of hard-partying teens.

Christian was initially a freelance designer for fashion houses. He later started his shoe salon in Pairs, with his shoes getting favoured by celebrity clientele. Christian has partnered with other organisations for creative projects which include limited edition pieces, gallery exhibits and a custom bar.

The company of Christian Louboutin later broadened into men’s footwear, handbags, fragrances and makeup. His legacy is renowned all over the world with his brand.

Here are the Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Christian Louboutin:

1. Louboutin was Born into a Simple Family of Cabinet-maker and homemakers

Christian Louboutin was born and raised in Paris, France. His family was simple as he was the only son. He has three sisters.

His father, Roger was a cabinet-maker. His mother, Irene was a French homemaker who came from Brittany. Christian Louboutin did not live with his family up to his early teenage hood.

2. Christian was Expelled Thrice from School and Ran Away from Home

The parents of Christian Louboutin gave him a better opportunity for education but he decided against it. Christian was expelled from school three times due to various reasons.

He later decided to run away from home at the tender age of 12. His parents were against this but his mother allowed him to move out and live at a friend’s house. After dropping out of school, Christian Louboutin faced much opposition.

He later claimed that what made him change his mind was an interview on TV with Sophia Loren. She introduced her sister who had dropped out of school at 12 and got a degree at 50. “Everybody applauded! And I thought, ‘Well, at least if I regret it I’m going to be like the sister of Sophia Loren!’”

3. He was a Member of a Group of Partying Teens and Pre-teens

After dropping out of school and starting living with a friend, Christian Louboutin was introduced to a new life. He had the freedom to do anything he wanted while living in the city of Paris.

During his preteen, Christian Louboutin made a major decision to join a group of hard-partying teens. He joined the “bande du Palace.” This was a group of partying teens and pre-teens that included Eva Ionesco. They were a fixture of the Parisian nightclub Le Palace.

4. Louboutin Doubted his Skin Colour and Found Out His Father’s Origin

During a 2012 interview, Christian Louboutin talked about his early childhood. He revealed that he was always doubtful about being much darker-skinned than everyone else in his family.

Christian revealed that his family was much French and thought that he was probably adopted. He stated that he never felt like an outsider and invented his history full of characters from Egypt.

Christian later learned from one of his sisters that his biological father was an Egyptian. His mother had had a secret affair with the Egyptian who was his biological father.

5. Christian Ran to Egypt in his Teens after Fascination by World Cultures

Louboutin was so interested in exploring the world as a young teen. He was fascinated by world cultures which made him want to explore more.

During his teenage years, he ran to Egypt and also spent one year in India. His time away made him interact and get interested in more things about cultures and the world.

6. His Affection in Shoes was Brought by Africans Forbidding Women Wearing Sharp Stilettos

Christian Louboutin pump, Yolanda model, 120mm heel, patent red. Author Arroser. Wikimedia

Christian Louboutin had little formal training which included drawing and the decorative arts at the Academie d’Art Roederer. His affection began later in 1976 when he visited the Musee national des Arts d’Afrique et d’Oceanie.

Here, he saw a sign from Africa that forbid women wearing sharp stilettos from entering a building. This was for the fear of damaging extensive wood flooring. The image that Christian Louboutin saw stayed in his mind and used this idea in his designs.

“I wanted to defy that. I wanted to create something that broke rules and made women feel confident and empowered.” Christian stated.

7. Christian Louboutin Served as a Freelance Designer for Women’s Shoes

Christian Louboutin Minibout: black leather mini peep toe pump. Author Winston789. WIKIMEDIA

Louboutin’s interest in women’s shoes got immense and wanted to explore this to make them more confident. He began his career as a freelance designer.

Christian Louboutin became a designer for Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Maud Frizon. He worked as a designer till later in the late 1980s when he turned away from fashion to become a landscape gardener and contribute to Vogue.

8. He was Funded by Two Backers and Opened a Shoe Salon in Paris

Christian Louboutin’s Shoe Salon in Paris.Author Jon Evans. WIKIMEDIA

Christian Louboutin missed his shoe designing and decided to start his Paris shoe salon. In 1991, he was backed by two people who funded his first shoe salon.

His first customer was Princess Caroline of Monaco. Princess Caroline of Monaco complimented the store one day a fashion journalist was present. The journalist subsequently made a publication that greatly helped market the shoe salon.

9. Several Celebrities have become Clients for Louboutin’s Stiletto Heels

Nicky Hilton in Studded Christian Louboutin. Author Christopher Macsurak.WIKIMEDIA

After the journalist publicised the compliment by Princess Caroline of Monaco about the stilettos, more celebrities became his client. Renowned people and celebrities have been his client over the years.

Some of his clients include Diane von Fürstenberg, Catherine Deneuve, Christina Aguilera, Shirley Coates, Joan Collins, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Tina Turner, Marion Cotillard, Nicki Minaj and Blake Lively. Sarah Jessica Parker wore a pair for her birthday and Britney Spears for her music video.

10. Louboutin Set up a Separate Website to Protect his Brand from Counterfeits

Christian Louboutin shoe at BATA Shoe Museum.Author Sheila Thomson.Wikimedia

With everything being digitalised, several customers of Christian Louboutin find him through his online stores. There are several counterfeits online but Louboutin has protected his shoes and brand well.

The company has served hundreds of DMCA notices on Google to remove sites selling fake goods. There is also a separate website focused on protecting the brand.