High heels have been around since the 15th century; Catherine de’ Medici was reportedly among their most stylish early adopters. But when Christian Louboutin got his hands on them, the stiletto’s reign as a sex symbol intensified. And it wasn’t exclusively due to the 120-millimeter spike heels or the patent leather studded with spikes. Louboutin’s trademark red sole, evocative of lipstick and blood and passion and maybe even death, was largely responsible for the phenomenon. Men buying for women, men buying for men, women buying for women—Louboutins have become an international symbol of excess and luxury. In 2014, the affable designer channeled their hue and attitude into a collection of nail polish, and after bringing his look to the lips, with a new collection of lacquers, he has now entered the realm of fragrance, launching seven scents in a collection called Loubiworld. Herewith, he reveals the key components to his very stylish life. —Ashley Baker
Airport: The Mustique airport, which has the most beautiful landing strip on earth.
Bag: A bag of leftovers that I bring back from Chapito, a restaurant in Lisbon, for Bingo, my Portuguese dog.
Breakfast, weekday: When I used to take breakfast, it was the English breakfast at Claridge’s.
Cocktail: The Melides Mule. It’s like a Moscow Mule, but made with Porto instead of vodka.
Cocktail appetizer: Baby eggplants with garlic in olive oil.
Dinner, weekday: Bistro Volnay, in Paris.
Dinner, weekend: Divellec, in Paris, a divine fish restaurant.
Disguise: Wonder Woman, without a doubt.
Drive: A pan-American route to South America, principally the part that crosses Mexico.
Escape:
A journey on the Nile River.
Hideaway: My beds.
Hotel: The one I’m building in Alentejo, Portugal, which should be finished a year from now. I already see how delighted I’ll be to welcome my friends there.
LUNCH, WEEKDAY: At Le Voltaire.
Movie: Mademoiselle, with Jeanne Moreau.
Novel: The Power of the Dog, by Thomas Savage.
Scent: Right now, it’s Loubirouge. It makes me think of a Parisian woman who doesn’t want to give up the secret of which fragrance she’s wearing. It’s a bit selfish, non?
SHOES: Flip-flops—Havaianas, specifically.
SingerS: Dolly Parton, Prince, and Tina Turner.
Television series: The first season of Dix Pour Cent.
Theme song to your life: “You Only Live Twice,” sung by Nancy Sinatra.
Vacation: Egypt, Portugal, or Rio.
View: The view from the bird-watching deck in Melides.
Work of art: The “Fasting Buddha” sculpture at the Lahore Museum, in Pakistan.
Christian’s Essentials
