A Polishing Process for a Unique Finish

Christian Louboutin opened its first boutique at 19 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Paris in 1992, and has since grown to over 103 directly managed stores worldwide, including men's boutiques. The Christian Louboutin 2016 Spring/Summer men's collection offers not only impactful models with a strong seasonal character but also newly updated classic models.



Three new classic models, named "Cousin Charles," "Cousin Dand," and "Cousin Greg," feature updated silhouettes and black stitching on the soles. These updated classics are available in colors such as Black and Havane, achieved through a polishing process where artisans repeatedly layer colors by hand to create a unique finish. The men's timeless styles, including Oxfords, Derbies, and loafers, are all crafted from natural calfskin leather with Louboutin's signature finishing.

The "Cousin Dand" is an elegant smoking slipper, while the cap-toe Oxford "Cousin Greg" and the half-wingtip Derby "Cousin Charles" are essential models for any man's wardrobe. The meticulous, time-consuming layering process creates a unique, rich luster within the neutral tones, unlike any other classic leather.

Christian Louboutin's men's shoes are individually crafted in a bespoke style. For the new classic styles of Spring/Summer 2016, a special stitching technique is applied only to select models. Furthermore, artisans at the Naples factory have developed a unique method to avoid damaging the red, lustrous sole during the stitching process, and have named each model "Cousin." The name "Cousin" is derived from the French word "Cousu," meaning "sewn."




The visual campaign for the 2016 Spring/Summer collection was created in collaboration with Christian Louboutin by photographer and filmmaker René Habermacher and his team at The Stimuleye, inspired by "La Sape." "Sape" is a fashion movement in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and those who practice it are known as "Sapeurs." Sapeurs express their personal style limitlessly, embodying elegance in their demeanor and style. The colorful imagery perfectly captures the essence of the new classic shoes for Spring/Summer 2016.

The world of "Sapeurs" as depicted by Christian Louboutin is showcased at Christian Louboutin boutiques and on Instagram @LouboutinHomme.