October 11, 2022 |
You’ve probably dreamt of regressing to your days of youth and uninhibited fun at least once; we know Christian Louboutin has. Enter: LoubiFamily. From the Parisian footwear maison comes a brand new product category that caters to all ages with bold kinder colours, simple geometrics and non-slip rubber soles. The idea for LoubiFamily was born in the midst of the Covid-19 lockdowns when, for the first time in a long time, Mr. Louboutin had the chance to spend several static months with his closest friends, daughters and dog. “I wanted to explore the idea of adulthood for children and childhood for adults, transposing fabrics and colours and playing with details,” he says.
So, Louboutin created a range of adorable superheroes and stars for the comic print that comes painted onto assorted panels throughout. The three protagonists – Superloubi, Wonderloubi, and Pilou the Lemur – are modern metamorphoses of Mr. Louboutin’s own childhood fantasies.
Worn by Superloubi within the comics print, the Super Loubi sneaker is styled after the maison’s iconic Fun Louis sneaker. There’s a tiny tot edition too, featuring a cutesy neoprene superhero heel cap. Then there’s the Melodie Chick ballet pump; an adorable slipper with an elasticated snap button-strap that takes after its parent style by focalising the precursory Hot Chick’s iconic cut-out topline – like mother, like daughter! Then, enticing a junior take on Louboutin’s Follies Strass pump, the Melodie Strass flat – which details a diamante degrade on a sheer mesh upper – is splendid for spiffier situations. And for honorary family members of the canine kind, there’s a range of signature Caraspike or “Louboutin” engraved rubber detailed collars, leashes and harnesses which are a furry first for the atelier but the luxe leatherwear is totally barking up the right tree.
As for the rest of the kids’ kicks, each shoe is stamped with half of a coalescent illustration of Pilou the Lemur to help kids tell their left foot from their right. Oversized zip-pullers and hidden Velcro openings allow for easy breezy wear, too. There’s also a Maxi Me & Mini Me capsule included that concentrates on kids’ shoes designed for adults. A spotlit shoe is the Toy Toy trainer which plays with proportion and has childishly oversized laces and eyelets. From parents to kids to furry friends, the new LoubiFamily is for everyone.
Before its global rollout in early November, the LoubiFamily will make its debut in New York, London and Shanghai and online with a grouping of quirky concept stores that offer a unique, magical universe filled with bright colours, endless wonder, whimsical furniture and fantastical worlds where nothing is impossible. Let your imagination run free!
Photography courtesy of Christian Louboutin.
