It started with a fire alarm and ended with a red shoe sole submerged in water. In between, there was acting, dancing, synchronized swimming, pole dancers dressed as firefighters, video projections, water games and lots of fun.
Christian Louboutin has been presenting his collections with standout performances at landmark locations in Paris for years, but the showman staged his biggest show yet on Friday night. The designers gave American photographer and music video director David LaChapelle and choreographer Bianca Leigh the perfect choice to celebrate all forms of dance.
Guests made a pilgrimage to the 16th arrondissement for the Piscine Molitor swimming pool. This pool was the setting for “Paris Louboutin.” This unique show rode on the wave of fashion’s enthusiasm for sports, recalling the water ballets of 50s Hollywood movies. Involvement of the French synchronized swimming team.
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With a live soundtrack courtesy of singer LP, the team performed a variety of choreography around a grand central fountain while wearing Louboutin’s shiny new Miss Z pumps, showcased in a variety of metallic hues . The swimmers’ looks included Fifi Shaknir swimsuits, Vidal Sassoon-inspired hairstyles, and Viva-inspired makeup, adding a retro vibe to the entire show.
Flanked by 15 swimmers, 14 dancers performed in an alcove, forming a monumental façade brought to life with light and vivid images. Once set up, Louboutin’s giant stiletto mules also served as a slide for swimmers’ theatrical entry into the pool.
“We wanted to bring back the feel of 20th century Hollywood movies, but at the same time the result was very modern. What’s beautiful is that we’re drawing inspiration from our past selves to create what we are today. It’s about creating,” said LaChapelle, who also directed a film about the event that will be published on the brand’s website.
As revealed in WWD’s preview, Daphne Guinness contacted LaChapelle about the concept for the presentation, given Louboutin’s flair for stylized, perfect images often located around water. I proposed it to Louboutin.
The shoemaker himself is a fan of synchronized swimming, a passion second only to dance, which has been a source of inspiration for him since his days interning at Les Folies Bergères in Paris.
“What the three of us obviously have in common is a love of dance,” the cobbler said of LaChapelle and Lee. “Blanka created her own world, David created some of his major works of art, and I started out designing shoes for dancers,” he recalls.
In recent years, Louboutin has repeatedly incorporated the world of dance into its presentation formats, from cabaret-style performances to edgier takes. Like the one developed last year in collaboration with renowned choreographer Sadek Belabar to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Louboutin’s iconic red sole.
On Friday, the brand’s signature design elements were again in the spotlight, creating a pop effect that floats above the water beneath swimmers’ feet. In the Miss Z style, the red sole is further accentuated thanks to a new graphic heel designed to make it look taller than it actually is.
The pointy pumps are part of a broader collection for Spring 2025 and are primarily inspired by the story of Beauty and the Beast in its duality of feminine codes and rawness.
The red rose from the story is featured in a new print on pumps, sandals, flats and sneakers, further embellished with hand-applied crystals in a limited edition. Other special interpretations of this theme include the sculptural heels of the Belle series, the crystal straps of the Just Jewel and Rosalie Jewel sandals, and the 1,000 spikes that cover the Estepic pumps.
So are the men’s Mr. Krawis ankle boots, which feature metal spikes that resemble animalistic claws, and Dandelion Felina’s flashy loafers.
For the first time, the brand has released a complete line of metal or smooth acetate eyewear for men and women as part of a licensing agreement with Italian glasses manufacturer Marcolin signed earlier this year.
