

Patent and Trademark office had granted Louboutin protection in 2008. This decision overturned a district court judge ruling last year that went against Louboutin, saying that one color could never serve as a fashion brand trademark, even though the U.S. "It is the contrast between the sole and the upper that causes the sole to 'pop,' and to distinguish its creator," the appeals court wrote.
#Red bottom shoes registration
Patent and Trademark office to limit Louboutin's registration "to uses in which the red outsole contrasts with the color of the rest of the shoe," meaning that if Yves Saint Laurent were to use a red sole on a red shoe, it would not infringe on Louboutin's trademark. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled that Louboutin was allowed to protect its brand against red-soled shoes produced by Yves Saint Laurent S.A.S., another Paris-based luxury designer, but it instructed the U.S. federal appeals court ruled today that the famous French luxury shoe designer was entitled to trademark protection of its signature fire-engine red soles, with certain limitations. 5, 2012 - Christian Louboutin gets to click his red-soled heels together in victory.Ī U.S. The only think to do is start thinking of what you want (and saving up).Sept. The customisation services start at US$4,000 (Rs 3 lakhs), and when you have loyal clients such as novelist Danielle Steel who owns over 6,000 Louboutin pairs, there is hardly anything out of bounds. The footwear is manufactured in Naples, Italy, and Louboutin’s workshop in Paris. The surface detailing gives Louboutin red soles its ultimate appeal – Swarovski crystals, 3D applique, alligator skin, gold chains, and sequins – there is hardly any idea that is out of Louboutin’s grasp. The process of applying red lacquer ensures seamless results, giving the perfect red bottom look every time. The formation of handmade soles are brought in from different factories.

This is followed by stitching, and sometimes the upper can be made of multiple materials. Prior to the leather-cutting, the sketches are transformed into tri-dimensional designs – the brand ensures that experienced cutters work in exclusive pairs. The craftsmanship involves sketching, material selection, polishing, and finishing – a long-drawn process of 30 steps – which all add up to the price tag of the red soles. Using the most exotic leather, embellishments, and silhouette ideas, Louboutin red soles are created keeping in mind its customer’s demands. What makes these soles expensive is the range of customisations available for them. In 2009, an exclusive capsule collection from the brand was Marie Antoinette, of which only 36 pairs were created, priced at US$6,200 (Rs 4.3 lakh approx). So how much do these red soles cost? Customised Louboutin red soles can touch a whopping US$6,000 (Rs 4 lakhs approx). In 2017, Louboutin even collaborated with Sabyasachi Mukherjee to create a line featuring embroidered red sole booties, ankle-length boots, and pumps. Over the years, Louboutin red soles have become iconic, signifying an evolved sense of fashion. The designer also created red soles for men – closer home, Karan Johar and Amitabh Bachchan as fans. From Sarah Jessica Parker to Oprah Winfrey to Jane Fonda, major celebrities have slipped into these statement Louboutin red soles for the red carpet. The result? Exquisitely crafted heels with red-lacquered soles that you’d recognise from a distance as being ‘Loubs’.Ĭoupled with their high craftsmanship and detailing, it’s not surprising that the concept caught every discerning fashionista’s eye, including some of the biggest names in fashion and pop culture. It’s said that Louboutin spotted one of his employees applying red nail polish, and he picked up the varnish and painted the soles of a prototype, red.

And the story of how in 1993 the designer launched these famed red soles is a popular one. Since the inception of the eponymous label in 1991, Louboutin has been at the forefront of footwear innovation, developing a cult following in a very short time. Luxury shoe aficionados familiar with French designer Christian Louboutin will know that his most iconic offering are his red soles. If you know your fashion basics, you’d know that every brand has a signature product that acts as its insignia, a sort of letimotif – Bulgari has its Serpenti, Chanel its tweed, and Burberry its trench.
