Christian Louboutin (Photo by Jacopo Raule/GC Images)
Cover Christian Louboutin (Photo by Jacopo Raule/GC Images)

The footwear visionary’s dedication to his craft has earned world-class recognition

The Couture Council of the Museum at FIT is honouring Christian Louboutin for his dedication to the fashion industry and its artistry. The luxury footwear designer will be presented with the 2019 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at a luncheon at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City.

“Christian Louboutin is a brilliant designer whose shoes are made with exquisite craftsmanship,” said Dr. Joyce F. Brown, president of FIT. “He is also a wonderful friend to FIT who has not only donated his shoes to the museum, where they have appeared in several exhibitions, but he has often—and with great enthusiasm—spoken with our students. FIT was proud to present him with an honorary degree at our 2014 commencement, at which our graduating students greeted him with joy.”

Christian Louboutin is inarguably one of the most iconic footwear designers in contemporary fashion; a name that is synonymous with refinement and affluence. It should come as no surprise that the man behind the sensuous red-lacquer soles has been recognised as the peak of fashion artistry.

“To be recognised by The Museum at FIT’s esteemed Couture Council is a great honour,” Louboutin said. “While my designs have roots in Paris, I feel very lucky to have access to some of the most specialised craftsmanship in the world; that has allowed me to push my creative boundaries and celebrate inclusivity and self-empowerment through cultural exchange.”

The Museum at FIT and its advisory committee has chosen to honour Louboutin due to his unparalleled impact on women’s shoe styles. The signature red-bottom may have started as a one-off experiment in the nineties, but it has since flourished into one of the most coveted and influential soles in fashion history.

Every year the Museum at FIT works with fashion industry experts, from magazine editors to prolific buyers, including Glenda Bailey, editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar; Hamish Bowles, international editor-at-large of Vogue; and Linda Fargo, senior vice president of fashion at Bergdorf Goodman.

This year’s Couture Council luncheon coincides with MFIT’s Paris, Capital of Fashion exhibition, which will explore how and why Paris became the international capital of fashion; dating back from the 18th century to today. The exhibition will also showcase a collection of 23 pairs of shoes, including a bespoke design by Louboutin for the occasion.

See also: Christian Louboutin Is Opening A Hotel In Portugal