Christian Louboutin’s red-soled shoes are red-hot

When asked what she wanted for Christmas, High School Musical’s Ashley Tisdale didn’t hesitate: “Christian Louboutin heels.”

Hollywood’s leading ladies can’t seem to get enough of the red-soled shoes that are a fixture on red carpets and at fashion photo shoots. And increasingly, Louboutin’s designs are popular among everyday women who are willing to spend $500-$1,500 a pair.

Though many people can’t pronounce his name (Lu-bu-TAHn), his signature red sole is instantly recognizable.

“I definitely think Christian louboutin is, for lack of a better word, the hottest shoe designer that there is out there,” says Filipa Fino, senior accessories editor at Vogue magazine. “He has captivated not only the socialite market but also Hollywood, and it is really the ‘it’ shoe to own right now.”

The red sole “has given him an edge, because it’s a visible touch that brands him. Women tend to feel others notice, and it’s a way of saying you’ve got the shoe.”

Sarah Jessica Parker was spotted in a pair on the set of the Sex and the City movie, a pair showed up in an episode of Dirty Sexy Money, and BMW featured the shoe in a commercial.

In October, Oprah Winfrey revealed a very pricey thank-you gift from Jessica Seinfeld, who had been on the show pitching her cookbook. The gift? Twenty-one pairs of shoes, many of which media outlets identified as Louboutins.

“It’s always a surprise for me when I see my shoes on someone or in a picture. I feel great about that,” says Louboutin, 44, whose first boutique opened 15 years ago in Paris. “I’ve always loved shoes and always wanted to do shoes.”

His collections now include espadrilles, sandals, boots, pumps and evening shoes in heels ranging from flat to skyscraper high. A handbag line (priced $700 and up) was launched this year.

“I’m inspired by many things,” he says. “And I love women, love watching women try on my shoes.”

But not so much that he’d give them away. Louboutin doesn’t play favorites. Unlike designers who send stars courtesy pieces to wear, Louboutin makes everyone pay.

“If things are given for free to you, it has no value in it, and you don’t really worship it.”

So when you see red soles on Nicole Kidman, Catherine Deneuve, Cameron Diaz, Ashley Olsen, Gwyneth Paltrow or Angelina Jolie, you know they’re not freebies.

“He has so much passion and so much heart,” says Olsen, who refers to Louboutin as a best friend. “He’s so talented and has really done it by himself and learned the hard way.”

Like other luxury brands, Louboutin’s trademark red sole has inspired imitations.

“It’s in the hand of lawyers now,” he says. “It’s one thing to be inspired by people, but just to knock off people is not nice.”

Louboutin began painting the soles red because “it is the color of love. It’s the color of passion. Even if a woman is wearing all black, she might choose a red lip or red nails.”

And what could possibly be more festive this time of year?

Anna Kournikova and Louis Vuitton

Anna Kournikova carries fake Louis Vuitton handbags! Can this be true? Someone sent me this picture of Anna Kournikova a few days ago asking me to do an authenticity check. I am not an expert, however I try to give a short answer as to whether or not in my opinion it is fake or authentic, then follow that with my reasoning and a link to how to determine authenticity for a Louis Vuitton. This bag that Anna Kournikova is carrying is an obvious fake Louis Vuitton. 

Reasons for why this bag is an awful fake: 
- A real multicolor Louis Vuitton bag has 33 colors. This bag has 5. 
- There are red LV’s on her bag. Red LV’s are not on the real white speedy. 
- The inside lining is the wrong color. The lining of a real speedy is a rasberry color. This bag has a beige lining. 
- The handles are too long and thin. A real LV speedy’s handles are shorter and thicker than that. 
- The flower on the above right of the LV is the same color as the LV, this never happens on a real bag. 

*Important note: Don’t always look at celebrities and their handbags to try to compare and determine authenticity. Yes I know you would think that they have a lot of money and they can afford the real thing. However this is an example of how celebrities don’t always carry authentic handbags. Also something else I should point out will occasionally put up a picture of a fake bag to trick counterfeiters who try to duplicate those seen online. You may have noticed that the photo of this Louis Vuitton Speedy has red LV’s, but the real on does not.

Celebrities and their Handbags

I should just call today Jessica Simpson Louis Vuitton overload. To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of Jessica Simpson, but I am an enormous fan of her handbag collections, particularly all her Louis Vuitton’s. 

Jessica Simpson – All I have to say is poor Nick for having to put up with Jessica and her dad. I laughed when I heard that when they got engaged Nick wanted a prenuptial but Jessica’s father convinced her not to sign. I bet she’s feeling pretty dumb now that she has to pay up. (As most of you know when they got married Nick was the one with all the money from his boy band years in the group 98 degrees, then Jessica’s career took off during the marriage.) Speaking of dumb, I thought that was pretty pathetic when she came out and said she ‘isn’t really as dumb as everyone thinks’, but she was told to act dumb by the ‘Newlywed’ producers. If true. . then what a puppet. Sorry for all you Jessica Simpson fans. On a nicer note, check out these lovely Louis Vuitton handbags !

A day at the grocery market in Calabasas with a lovely Louis Vuitton Monogram Cerises Speedy 25

Jessica Simpson doubles up her Louis Vuitton glam with her LV Monogram Canvas Waltz Doraand LV Monogram canvas pet carrier.