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/STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS)
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/STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS)
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/JONATHAN SHORT/AP)
The most popular style is five inches high. (STEFAN WERMUTH/STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS)
'Shoes are objects of pleasure,' Louboutin said - though his high heels are famously uncomfortable to wear. (STEFAN WERMUTH/STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS)
'I am not against comfort, but I don't like the idea that my shoes are evocative of comfort,' he said. (STEFAN WERMUTH/STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS)
By putting a foot in a heel, 'you are putting yourself in a possibly orgasmic situation,' Louboutin once said. (Jonathan Short/JONATHAN SHORT/AP)
Low heels can sometimes be attractive, he said, but comfort is clearly not one of his priorities. (Jonathan Short/JONATHAN SHORT/AP)
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/STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS)
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/STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS)
'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/JONATHAN SHORT/AP)
While speaking to press, the French shoe designer also passionately defended his court battle to protect his famous glossy red-soled shoes. (STEFAN WERMUTH/STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS)
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/STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS)
'What PPR does via Yves Saint Laurent is breaking my trademark, which I find incredibly offensive,' Louboutin said. (STEFAN WERMUTH/STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS)
to get it and come back to see the ad in front of this gallery.
