Style: Painting the Town Red

French footwear designer Christian Louboutin, renowned for his signature red sole, makes his debut in palm desert with a vibrant and colorful spring collection.

Site Staff Shopping

Pictured, left: Piguelle Patent Pump, $625; right: Paulina Slingback, $695; middle: Intern Flat, $975; Paulina Slingback, $695 — all available at Saks Fifth Avenue on El Paseo, Palm Desert.
Photo by Ethan Kaminsky

While designing an Andy Warhol–inspired heel in the early 1990s, Christian Louboutin — perplexed as to why his prototype was not as eye-catching as his original sketch — on a whim painted the black sole with red nail polish to make it pop. This impromptu design element became Louboutin’s signature shoe feature, paired with everything from a classic nude pump to a crystal-embellished platform. This season, the designer’s highly coveted collection of luxury shoes, from conservative looks to fashion forward, is available in the Coachella Valley for the first time at Saks Fifth Avenue on El Paseo. “Look for lots of color, which continues to be big for spring,” says Saks’ Marketing Director Konrad Janus.