the entrance into the event displays the shoes on mirrored pedestals image © luke hayes

christian louboutin retrospective design museum, london on now until july 9th, 2012

the first retrospective of french shoe designer christian louboutin in the UK, the exhibition features footwear developed over the past 20 years at the design museum london. a meeting of functional object and sculptural artwork, the displayed shoes range from stilettos, lace-up boots, studded sneakers and classic pumps, both from previous collections, as well as one-off designs. the footwear is examines the many sources which louboutin draws from in this creative process: cabaret and the showgirl; fantasy and fairy tale; art and architecture; film; landscape and travel, integrated into an environment of glitz and glamour, reflecting the ideas of power, femininity and elegance evident in the shoes themselves. a rotating carousel, mirrored display piece and lacquered red stage feature the pieces in a cabaret setting, complete with performers.

the core of the exhibition is a look into louboutin’s design process as visitors are taken through the stages of shoe creation, from sketches to construction, prototyping and factory production.

christian louboutin retrospective at design museum, london christian louboutin retrospective at design museum image © luke hayes

christian louboutin retrospective at design museum, london the shoes are displayed on a red runway highlighted by golden shell lamps which bring about the notion of a cabaret and showgirls image © luke hayes

christian louboutin retrospective at design museum, london up close look at one of the displays image © luke hayes

christian louboutin retrospective at design museum, london an architectural piece reflects the iconic red soles of the shoes for which louboutin is known image © luke hayes

christian louboutin retrospective at design museum, london a padded red velvet swing displays shoes as it rotates around the carousel image © design museum

christian louboutin retrospective at design museum, london shoe moulds used by christian louboutin are hung along a wall of the exhibition image © design museum

christian louboutin retrospective at design museum, london the window sign spells out ‘christian louboutin’ in lit letters image © design museum

christian louboutin retrospective at design museum, london christian louboutin image © luke hayes

christian louboutin retrospective at design museum, london a mock set-up of exhibiton image © design museum

christian louboutin retrospective at design museum, london preliminary sketch of the display image © design museum

video © design museum