Louboutin fans around the world, rejoice: as of today, you have access to an immersive experience into the mind of this iconic French footwear designer. Debuting today at the illustrious Palais de la Porte Doree in Paris, L’exhibition[iste] will run until July 26. This exhibition will be the largest ever devoted to Louboutin, curated by Oliver Gabet, the Director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.
Louboutin, who was born in the 12th Arrondissement of Paris, was inspired by art and architecture from a young age: "It was also at the Palais, a masterpiece of Art Deco, that Christian Louboutin, then a young adolescent, noticed a sign forbidding visitors to wear high heeled shoes. This sign subsequently inspired the iconic Pigalle shoe which he has since reinvented time and time again," as noted in the exhibition press release.
L’exhibition[iste] will consist of 11 chapters that speak to the designer's inspirations and own creative projects. Visitors can look forward to seeing sketches and shoes—many of which are never-before-seen—from both private and public collections.
And while Christian Louboutin will be the star of the show, as it were, the exhibit will feature collaborations and new pieces from artists and designers whose work he holds dear: New Zealand multimedia artist Lisa Reihana, Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi, British designer duo Whitaker Malem, the Spanish choreographer Blanca Li, and director/photographer David Lynch.