Go-to workout outfit: “A Speedo—because the best workout is swimming.”

Christian Louboutin

The French designer answers 21 questions on fashion sense and other sensibilities, including his unusual workout attire

Hermès has orange. Tiffany & Co. has blue. And Christian Louboutin, undeniably, has red. It’s been that way since 1993, when the shoemaker famously borrowed his assistant’s crimson nail polish to paint the sole of a prototype stiletto, inadvertently creating one of fashion’s most recognizable and enduring status symbols. More than three decades later, Louboutin’s empire extends far beyond high heels to encompass sneakers, handbags, beauty, hospitality, and a dazzling roster of artistic collaborations. As Paris Haute Couture Week draws to a close, the beloved French designer sits in DRESS CODE’s Haute Seat.

First impression: A beautiful smile.
Scent: Anything by Frédéric Malle.
watch: Cartier’s Santos-Dumont.
Sunglasses: Louboutin.
Workout outfit: A Speedo—because the best workout is swimming.