The highly anticipated retrospective exhibition of Christian Louboutin has opened its sparkly gates at the Design Museum in London and invites us all to get a glimpse of the Louboutin world and the man behind its designs.  He’s a designer fascinated by showgirls, sex and fantasy, and his creations embrace all of these to the fullest.  From Hollywood starlets to Parisian cabaret dancers, women adore his shoes and many have admitted that they feel transformed when wearing his designs.  

The exhibition showcases the numerous designs of Louboutin during his 20-year-long career and it also attempts to give us an insight into the creative process and the inspirations that have molded him. This is achieved by using a specially curated disorganised room to recreate his workspace.  

The exhibition also explores various themes and highlights of the designer’s work, ranging from his couture collaborative designs with specialist artisans to the dark and atmospheric section of his 2007 Fetish exhibition photographed by David Lynch. Under an intensely theatrical atmosphere with red velvet sofas, a carousel display and a delicate yet sexy hologram of Dita Von Teese taking centre stage, the viewer is captivated by the beauty and power of the shoes.

To accompany the exhibition, the Design Museum will be holding a special event during the Museums at Night festival on Friday 18 May, 8 – 11 pm.  The event, entitled Walk Into Illusion, will be curated by Double-Decker and will present an inspiring evening of film, visual spectacle, music and a workshop that will stimulate all your senses and make you forget reality.  Inspired by the title of the event and the classic fairytale of Cinderella, I will be giving a workshop in which participants will be encouraged to create their own illusion of the heroine and her shoe. 

For more details, including Spiros’ workshop, click here.