Christian Louboutin L'Exhibitioniste, running through July 26 at Paris' Palais de la Porte Dorée, is a nod to iconic French footwear designer Christian Louboutin's work and creativity. Image credit: Palais de la Porte Dorée
A major retrospective on the work and creativity of Christian Louboutin has opened at Paris’ Palais de la Porte Dorée, targeted to adults, children and those interested in following in the French footwear designer’s footsteps.
Running through July 26, the Christian Louboutin L’Exhibitioniste is designed as an invitation to discover the designer’s world of motifs and colors inspired by his love of art and different cultures.
“Flamboyant, daring, open to the world, generous and at times caustic, the designer’s creativity is informed by a passion for travel and references from the worlds of pop culture, theatre, dance, literature and cinema,” according to the exhibition’s notes.
U.S. department store chain Nordstrom is the sponsor of this exhibition.
Poster for the Christian Louboutin L’Exhibitioniste showing Christian Louboutin in a playful pose. Image credit: Christian Louboutin
Sole food
Christian Louboutin is one of world's leading footwear designers, known for his shoes' red lacquer on soles.
The exhibition opens just as France has banned indoor gatherings of more than 5,000 people as a precaution against the coronavirus, causing even the famed Louvre to close.
The exhibition showcases the designer’s vision through a selection of the most precious works from his personal collection and loans from public collections.
A large selection of shoes will be on display, some of which have never been exhibited before, according to the museum.
These historic and artistic pieces will be shown alongside a number of exclusive collaborations that acknowledge Mr. Louboutin’s admiration for craftsmanship, including stained glass panels created by the Maison du Vitrail, a Sevillian silver palanquin and a cabaret sculpted in Bhutan.
The exhibition will also unveil collaborations, never seen before, with artists who are important to him: director and photographer David Lynch, New Zealand multimedia artist Lisa Reihana, British designer duo Whitaker Malem, Spanish choreographer Blanca Li and the Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi.
Christian Louboutin L'Exhibitioniste Web site. Image credit: Christian Louboutin
THE EXHIBITION layout is creative.
Visitors first go through the Masterpiece room to see Mr. Louboutin’s most iconic shoes. The Early Years room follows with stained-glass works and the Mr. Louboutin’s time in school as a budding designer. Next is room with sources of his inspirations and references.
Then there is the room featuring works and objects that embody the creative process with films outlining the process of shoemaking. The final room takes visitors through a game of appearances and hidden symbolism.
The exhibition costs $13.25 for full rate and $9 for categories eligible for a lower rate, such as students, teachers and museum members.
The Atelier: Promo film for the Christian Louboutin L’Exhibitioniste at Paris’ Palais de la Porte Dorée