The designer talks about comfort, inspiration and his trademark red soles at the opening of a show at the Design Museum in London
French shoe designer Christian Louboutin was in London on April 30 to open a museum exhibition marking his brand's 20th anniversary. He spoke to reporters about his inspirations and his rise to global success.STEFAN WERMUTH
The retrospective exhibition at London's Design Museum traces Louboutin's rise from a teenager fascinated by the feathered costumes of Paris's cabaret showgirls to his stints at YSL and Chanel to setting up his first boutique in 1991.STEFAN WERMUTH
Louboutin shoes are one of the world's most recognizable fashion items, and have been worn by celebrities from Angelina Jolie to French first lady Carla Bruni.Jonathan Short
The most popular style is five inches high.STEFAN WERMUTH
'Shoes are objects of pleasure,' Louboutin said - though his high heels are famously uncomfortable to wear.STEFAN WERMUTH
'I am not against comfort, but I don't like the idea that my shoes are evocative of comfort,' he said.STEFAN WERMUTH
By putting a foot in a heel, 'you are putting yourself in a possibly orgasmic situation,' Louboutin once said.Jonathan Short
Low heels can sometimes be attractive, he said, but comfort is clearly not one of his priorities.Jonathan Short
But he wouldn't go so far as to endorse foot surgery - nicknamed 'Loub-jobs' after his shoes - that aims to ease the pain of wearing high heels. 'Frankly, it's probably not a good idea,' he said.STEFAN WERMUTH
Louboutin considers Kate Moss to be his English style icon, but said Queen Elizabeth II would be an interesting and challenging customer. 'She's a woman, she's a queen, she's a full concept,' he said. 'She is such a symbol.'STEFAN WERMUTH
'When I design for a women, I always think of her naked,' the designer said cheekily. 'And I haven’t yet met a girl who wants to have shorter legs.'Jonathan Short
While speaking to press, the French shoe designer also passionately defended his court battle to protect his famous glossy red-soled shoes.STEFAN WERMUTH
He hit out at fellow French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent and its parent company PPR, whom he is suing for trademark infringement in a U.S. federal appeals court. A panel of judges has yet to issue a decision.STEFAN WERMUTH
'What PPR does via Yves Saint Laurent is breaking my trademark, which I find incredibly offensive,' Louboutin said.STEFAN WERMUTH
The designer argued that his rivals are wrong to accuse him of trying to monopolize the colour red.STEFAN WERMUTH
'I do not own a colour. I own a specific colour in a specific place,' he said of his distinctive soles.STEFAN WERMUTH
The exhibit also includes a display of shoe lasts by the designer.STEFAN WERMUTH
The exhibition will run at the Design Museum from May 1 to July 9.STEFAN WERMUTH