New Year, New Loubs: Manchester’s Louboutin Boutique

Lynda Moyo walks the red carpet at the Christian Louboutin Boutique in Harvey Nichols, Manchester

Written by Lynda Moyo. Published on January 19th.

New Year, New Loubs: Manchester’s Louboutin Boutique

IMAGINE a whole shop dedicated to the famous red-soled shoes. Well, Manchester now has one. The Christian Louboutin Boutique hot-stepped into the city last December and is the 48th store worldwide for the much-loved brand.

The new boutique in Manchester cleverly coincides with the 20th anniversary of the French brand

Housed on the first floor in Harvey Nichols, as expected a visit to the boutique is a red carpeted shoe celebration, full of eye-catching displays and cheeky winks to Christian Louboutin’s playful personality.

There’s the ballerina music box-inspired spinning glistening pump, the copy of the Louboutin Times placed casually among the alcove seating and the little wooden Pinocchio hands clutching coveted platforms. Every last detail is of course highlighted by the fantastical feather embellished crystal chandelier hanging above. It’s a footwear fantasy.

Harvey Nichols Manchester - Photo by Susie Rea

The boutique is currently filled with the spring/summer 2012 collection consisting of both women’s shoes and bags. This season’s collection draws on the print trend, represented in the Piou Piou pump in the form of a vivid leopard print and the nature-inspired Poppy print found on the reversible Sybil bag. Spike detailing is also a signature look for the brand this season with a range of high heels and flats with intricate metal spear detail that’s both cary and stylish in equal measures. For the more shoe shy customer, sleek, simple lines can be found in the Summerissima sandal which unites white python detailing and gold ankle straps for understated chic.

Piou Piou Pumps

Summerissma

It is a girl’s world, but men’s styles can be found in the dedicated men’s area located on the second floor. And for all serious Louboutin devotees, there’s plenty more in store for the brand this year.

The new boutique in Manchester cleverly coincides with the 20th anniversary of the French brand for which it has been announced this week that the shoe maverick himself will be the first 'guest creator' to collaborate with Parisian cabaret, Crazy Horse.

Christian Louboutin Teams Up With Crazy Horse Paris

The avant-garde show called ‘Feu’ meaning fire, will see Christian Louboutin direct ‘four original and unique tableaux, inspired by many eclectic worlds from hip hop to art masterpieces, which constitute a personal look at femininity in all its forms.’ Feu will preview on Sunday, March 4 and will remain in the repertoire of the dancers until May 31. If you happen to be in Paris during this period it’s not to be missed. Click here for tickets.

Closer to home and also in celebration of 20 years of Louboutin, The Design Museum in London will host the first UK retrospective of designer Christian Louboutin, celebrating his career in high fashion shoe design. The exhibition runs from 28 March – 1 July 2012. For more information click here.

Look out for the Louboutin exhibition at The Design Museum