Christian Louboutin and Disney launch auction for Star Wars footwear collection

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Dec 7, 2017

The force is with fashion this holiday season. Christian Louboutin is the latest fashion label to debut a Star Wars-themed collection this year for upcoming film Star Wars: The Last Jedi, joining H&M, Rag & Bone, Columbia Sportswear and Clarks among others.

 
Following Louboutin and Disney collaboration collections for Cinderella in 2012 and Maleficent in 2014, the Star Wars collection of custom footwear will be on auction this month, and is comprised of a shredded chiffon pump showpiece shoe, based on the Italian footwear designer’s Ballerina Ultima style, and four shoe styles inspired by the film’s heroines Rey, Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo, Captain Phasma, and Rose Tico.
 
The Rey shoe, inspired by the lead character played by Daisy Ridley, is an ankle strap leather sandal with translucent PVC and a blue strass heel, in reference to the harnesses in Rey’s outfit, her Jedi powers and the color of her lightsaber, respectively. Louboutin created a burgundy pump for the Vice Admiral Holdo character, silver specchio leather yokes for Captain Phasma and a utilitarian sandal hiding an inner stiletto for Rose Tico. Each style is embellished with a bespoke jewel inspired by a Tie Fighter.

“Disney's call regarding Star Wars was completely unexpected and surprised me,” said Louboutin. “But I like surprises and this one particularly intrigued me!”
 
LucasFilm earlier this year invited Louboutin to Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) in San Francisco, the studio that handles the VFX and animation for the Star Wars franchise, to discuss the collaboration. The idea of the Nomad Shoemaker was born in the meetings that included Doug Chiang, VP and Executive Creative Director for the Star Wars franchise.
 
“At first sight,” continued Louboutin, “the Star Wars universe and mine seemed far away from one another but when I saw the pictures of the red planet Crait, I instantly understood where it connected and why they had thought of me. Strong ideas and images spontaneously came to my mind.”
 
The showpiece shoe will be on display at the film’s world premiere on December 9 in a custom red crystal display with a hyper-realistic holographic installation. The commemorative styles are on auction from December 7 through 20, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Starlight Children's Foundation on behalf of Star Wars: Force for Change, LucasFilm and Disney’s initiative, and the showpiece shoe will be added to the auction following its debut.