The Story Behind the Legendary Christian Louboutin “So Kate” Red-Soled Heels

For nearly three decades, Christian Louboutin shoes have consistently captivated consumers’ hearts with the exquisite beauty of each design. Have you ever wondered why you and those around you always feel overwhelmed by these “masterpieces”?

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Despite the recent rise of Crocs, personalized sneakers, and ballerinas, our passion for high heels shows no sign of fading. The best example is that in just the first three months of 2024, Net-a-Porter recorded a 175% increase in searches for Christian Louboutin’s So Kate shoes. This proves that this summer will still be the season for women who adore and revere high heels.

There will be countless reasons why they are so coveted, and elegance will always be the most fitting answer. Boasting an ideal height of around 12cm, So Kate shoes consistently maintain their elegance and sophistication with a rich color palette. They can be mysterious black, delicate nude, or striking with shimmering stones embracing the feet.

1. The kingdom of high heels began with a slogan.

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The story behind Christian Louboutin’s entrepreneurial beginnings in shoe design is truly fascinating. When Louboutin was just 10 years old, he accidentally discovered a sign prohibiting women from wearing high heels at the Musée national des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie (Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, often referred to simply as Musée du quai Branly or Musée des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie in English, but the user used “Bờ sông Brownlee” which might be a localized or phonetic spelling or perhaps a misremembered name, so I’ll use the most likely correct one or a neutral translation for “riverside museum”) due to concerns they would scratch the wooden floors. Intrigued by this prohibition, the designer decided to break all boundaries and challenge traditional rules to create high heel designs that were both beautiful and uniquely personal.

At 16, Louboutin began an internship at the famous Folies Bergère theatre, teaching himself to design shoes exclusively for dancers. From 1980 to 1990, he worked as a designer for several major brands before establishing the Christian Louboutin brand in Paris in 1991 and opening his first store.

2. Why does the So Kate have a red sole?

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Christian Louboutin’s most iconic design is undoubtedly the vibrant red sole, yet surprisingly, it wasn’t part of his original plan. When Christian Louboutin reviewed his work in 1992, the designer felt the black soles made the shoes look clunky and inelegant, and more importantly, unfashionable. Coincidentally, his assistant at the time was painting her nails, and Christian suddenly had the idea to paint the soles a vivid red to polish them up. Later, the “red sole” became Louboutin’s signature symbol, beloved by fashion enthusiasts worldwide.

3. Inspired by Supermodel Kate Moss

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Launched in 2013, the So Kate is considered a subsequent and more refined version of the original Kate high-heel model, which Christian Louboutin designed and released a year prior, in 2012. Named after supermodel Kate Moss – one of the brand’s most loyal devotees – both shoe models embody timelessness in design, exuding an elegant and sophisticated style.
However, the So Kate is slender and more streamlined compared to the original Kate design. Notably, the toe box of the So Kate is cut lower, while the heel is higher, creating a look that is both feminine and more sensual.

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Louboutin himself once stated: “The Kate (shoe) style is obvious, simple, but also very complex. Sounds like Kate Moss, simple but sophisticated.” The sensual yet simple and mysterious allure of the So Kate made them an instant classic upon their launch.

4. Perfect Proportions

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The So Kate shoe features a pointed toe and a very low-cut upper, giving the impression of fully exposing the foot without concealing anything. The most talked-about feature of this model is its 12cm high heel, which creates an excellent long and slender leg effect. Despite a design that goes against ergonomics, the sensuality that the So Kate brings continues to captivate millions of women.

5. Zendaya Wore Them Even Without Sponsorship!

Recently, artist Zendaya, one of the fans of the So Kate model, is frequently spotted wearing the red-soled shoes when attending events as well as in everyday life. Her stylist, Law Roach, in an interview with The Cutting Room Floor magazine, shared: “I think So Kate is one of the most versatile shoes, but also one of the most painful.” He also recalled the story of Zendaya wearing So Kates when she was only 14: “That was actually the first time she wore these shoes, and she almost couldn’t bear it. Zendaya said, ‘I have to take these shoes off,’ but I insisted, ‘You can’t take them off.’

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Subsequently, the So Kate shoes also became a symbol of the relationship between Zendaya and stylist Law Roach. Despite having no commercial ties with Christian Louboutin, the So Kate has consistently been the actress’s go-to choice on the red carpet. Even when promoting the film “Challengers,” her stylist specially prepared up to 40 pairs of So Kate shoes for her.

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