The Red Sole Diaries
I was in the audience at the Country Music Association Awards in New York City last week when Lee Ann Womack went onstage to accept the single of the year award (for her song “I May Hate Myself in the Morning,” which only I could interpret as a ballad about buyer’s remorse). And I felt this frisson of recognition when my eyes instantly went to the red soles of her black Christian Louboutin d’Orsay pumps. The next emotion I felt was pride, as the non-fashionista friend sitting next to me said, “Hey, aren’t those the shoes you love with the red soles?”
Oh, I’ve taught her well. She may never know (or more to the point, care to know) the difference between Marni and Missoni, but she’ll never forget a red sole.
It was a stroke of marketing genius when Christian Louboutin decided to make his soles red. (It sure beats having to incorporate a big ol’ logo into every design.) There’s a male editor at work who never fails to comment when he sees my red soles. Of course, he’s a clothes horse — but even fashion-phobes can appreciate the simple brilliance of making people see red as you turn on your heels and stomp away from them. As Tyra Banks would say, That’s fierce, girl.
Call me crazy, but I find that I’m, oh, let’s say, 39% more likely to buy a pair of Louboutins, simply because of the red soles. Of course, I’m then caught in the quandary of how I can possibly wear the shoes when every step scrapes a few microns of red off the sole. I walk a little more lightly, more gingerly in these shoes — heck, I practically float. So when you think of it, Louboutins are worth the investment: They even help your posture!
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November 21st, 2005 23:39
WHERE can you currently find a pair of black Christian Louboutin d’Orsay pumps?? Those are truly my dream shoes. I tried to talk my mom into buying me a pair I saw for my senior prom and was naturally denied, but I haven’t seen a pair for purchase anywhere since–they’ve become a sort of unicorn. Any ideas?
November 22nd, 2005 01:50
Ah, Louboutin…he’s sort of like my unicorn. I chase and chase, but alas, broke, I never buy. The best part is that they look good from the front as well as the back!
November 22nd, 2005 14:59
I love Louboutin shoes, too! I like their styles very much, but the red sole is the brilliant signature that adds glam to glam! Unfortunately, they are really expensive and here in Italy they’re so hard to find
November 22nd, 2005 18:27
Kate: I haven’t seen any in stores lately, but there’s always ebay… Not exactly what you want, but check these out:
Louboutins