Shoes (pair), 'Guinness', womens, leather / aluminium / rubber, designed by Christian Louboutin, Paris, made in Italy, 1993-1994

Pair of leather, aluminium and rubber slip on shoes with almond toe and high covered Cuban heel. The shoes consist of black patent leather uppers featuring a round throat and a back seam which is top edge bound, with a cream inner lining, suede inside the heel and a cream kid sock. The heel is covered in a section of an aluminium Guinness beer can and features a rubber top piece. The sole of the shoes are made from red leather and also feature a black patent leather covered platform containing a black edge finish. Autumn/Winter 1993-1994 collection.

The shoes are designed by Christian Louboutin and made in Italy in 1993-1994. Christian Louboutin (born in France 1964) worked for Roger Vivier and various shoe companies, becoming knowledgeable about footwear before opening his Parisian boutique in 1991. His shoes are unconventional and he likes to be associated with the decorative arts rather than fashion. Influenced by Roger Vivier, his work has a handcrafted decorative quality. Although he now has a boutique in New York, the shoes are produced in limited quantities with a maximum production run of 50 pairs. Inspired by diverse sources such as landscape gardening and pop culture, his designs are noteworthy for their whimsical quality. The influence of pop culture is seen in the use of a beer can to cover heels in the 'Guinness' design.

Shoes made in Italy for Christian Louboutin for Autumn/Winter 1993-1994 collection.

The shoes have been acquired direct from Christian Louboutin's boutique in Paris and have not been worn.

Purchased 1997

Trademark on sock, printed in gold script, 'Christian / Louboutin / Paris'. The text from the Guinness beer can on the heel reads, 'BREWERS OF DISTINCTION / 17 59 / REGISTERED TRADE MARKS / GUINNESS / ORIGINAL / ARTH GUINNESS / STOUT / BREWED IN LONDON AND DUBLIN'. There is also partial text at the side of the heel describing the taste of Guinness, its content, barcode and features an image of a person discarding litter in a bin. On the sole of the shoe stamped appears, 'VERO / CUOIO' with 'MADE IN ITALY / 39' underneath.

97/177/5

1993

160 mm

70 mm