Christian Louboutin’s red sole shoes have become synonym to luxury footwear. The iconic red bottoms are not only a symbol of the Louboutin brand, but of the exorbitant cost too. With prices ranging from $650 to $6,000, there is no arguing the fact that Louboutins are a lavish purchase. But what makes Louboutin shoes so expensive?
It’s no surprise that designer clothing items are sold at exclusive rates. Even in the elite fashion industry, Louboutins are known to be on the pricier end of the spectrum.
The reason behind the steep expenditure is simple: producing premium merchandise is costly.
On top of that, they are made in Europe and as Christian Louboutin admits a reason for the top price tag is that “It is more expensive to make shoes in Europe now”.
As the Euro strengthened against the US dollar over the past decade, the expenditure of producing shoes in Europe has also increased.
Another major factor in the lofty payment amount is the cost of materials.
Premium-quality materials are necessary when creating a chic, fashionable shoe. From Swarovski crystals to exotic furs, the materials used in these trademark pieces are of the finest quality.
The Louboutin brand is not the only one in the market for exclusive materials. As competition with Asian factories for quality materials continues to grow, the gap in raw materials also grows. This situation of larger demand and lower supply also factors into the final value of a pair of Louboutins.
Finally, the attention to detail found in Louboutin’s shoes is legendary. Designed to stand out, it’s the unique details that draw attention to these signature shoes.
This careful attention to detail comes through in quality craftsmanship. Like anything that takes more time and effort to create, it’s going to require a bit more money.
His ingenuity of maximizing on a detail often overlooked by other brands has left a giant footprint in the realm of fashion. The iconic Louboutin brand began with a less than vibrant underside. It wasn’t until 1993, when Christian Louboutin saw one of his employees painting her nails red, that creativity struck. He took the bottle of polish and painted the sole of a prototype. Thus, a fashion icon was born.
The price of Louboutins is often a deterrent for potential buyers. However, affluent footwear is more a form of artwork than a piece of equipment.
One of Louboutin's first customers was Princess Caroline of Monaco. Often seen on the feet of royalty and celebrities alike, it’s no surprise the brand has become synonymous with extravagance.
Nearly three decades after opening his first boutique, Christian Louboutin has 150 stores around the globe. The brand has expanded from women’s shoes and now sells men’s shoes, handbags and even beauty products.
