The Red sole

The birth of an iconic signature

It all began in 1992, in the designer’s Parisian atelier. As he was finalizing the prototype of the Pensée model, Christian Louboutin was captivated by the elegance of the silhouette—but found the black sole too dull, disrupting the harmony of the design.

His eyes fell on his assistant, who was applying a vibrant red nail polish. In a spontaneous gesture, he grabbed the bottle and painted the sole from toe to heel. The transformation was immediate—the shoe came to life.

That instinctive stroke—what he would later call a “happy accident”—gave birth to the Maison’s most iconic signature.

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In early 90s in France, there were a lot of women wearing black who claimed they did not like to wear color. If you don’t like color, I thought, you might not wear green, but you will probably wear red on your nails, on your lips… That’s why I decided to stick to red!

Christian Louboutin
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The Christian Louboutin Red

For Christian Louboutin, the red sole is more than just a color—it’s a statement. A symbol of passion, confidence, and audacity, this vibrant red captures the very soul of the Maison.Far beyond an aesthetic detail, it has become a true icon of modern luxury. Wearing Christian Louboutin is about walking with assurance and freedom.A manifesto of style, it reflects Christian Louboutin’s unique vision. This red sole has left its mark on the collective imagination—from red carpets to the silver screen.

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