Step in to the Retrospective Exhibition of Christian Louboutin.

Step in to the Retrospective Exhibition of Christian Louboutin.

Roll up! Roll up! And step in to the wonderful world of Christian Louboutin.

This retrospective exhibition is a glamorous showcase for those iconic red glossy soled shoes and provides insight to Mr Louboutin’s creativity and key design inspirations over the past 20 years.

Taking centre stage on a 17 metre long inverted shoe is the Showgirl inspiration.

At the age of 16, Louboutin became an intern at the famous Parisian musical hall, Les Folies Bergeres, and was mesmerised by the showgirls, their costumes (particularly the Birds of Paradise) and the way they could dance in very high heels. This sewed the seed for the desire to design such glamorous shoes so every woman could be a showgirl in their daily lives.

The Louboutin showgirl shoes vie for attention as they pose and sparkle near the footlights of the red glossy stage. The Queen of Burlesque, Dita Von Teese, makes a 3D holographic appearance as she morphs from a giant stiletto and dances on the stage.

But the glamour and glitz doesn’t stop here as the stage is surrounded by the brightly lit fairground attractions of a carousel, glass helter-skelter, gigantic spinning top and a topiary walkway. All these house and represent Louboutin’s key inspirations Carousel – travel inspiration, always something to see Shoes sit majestically on slowly rotating red velvet cushioned swings which hang from the carousel Helter Skelter – transparency inspiration, suggesting nudity The mirrored shelves show the shoes from all angles. Here Louboutin uses lace, mesh and metal in the designs.

Spinning Top – entertainment inspiration, Louboutin’s love of the entertainment world.

Giant black piano keys sit on top of the spinning top and act as display stands for individual shoes.

Topiary Walkway – Architecture inspiration In 1989, Louboutin turned his hand to garden design, so it is only natural this is one of his inspirations.

There is so much more to this exhibition, it will keep you enchanted for the whole day: Christian Louboutin just can’t and doesn’t put a foot wrong!

Guest writer and Augustus Couture Stylist Karen Grace studied Personal Styling at the London College of Fashion and received her professional training in one of London’s leading Image Consultancy training centres. She is also a registered affiliate member of FIPI, the Federation of Image Professionals International.

Karen Grace is Director of Style Me Services at Augustus Couture http://www.augustuscouture.com ; owner of Frumpy to Funky, an in-house personal shopper for a large department store; and a fashion writer for several online magazines.