How’s this for lunchtime reading: Christian Louboutin is launching his first ever book, a beautiful coffee table tome spanning his work and inspirations from the past 20 years.

The self-titled book coincides with Louboutin’s 20th anniversary, and features the designers most iconic creations as well as an insight into his influences via an in-depth interview and photos from his personal archive.

“Rizzoli approached me to work on a book together and it happened to be perfect timing as my 20th anniversary was approaching,” Louboutin told Vogue UK.

“Without a doubt my favourite element is the photography of the shoes by Philippe Garcia. In researching the book, I was also obliged to revisit my own personal archive of photos and sketches and I was impressed at the amount that I had saved from those early days.”

Christian Louboutin, the book, is a work of art in itself – a five-piece fold-out cover, bound in pink faux leather; a magical interior pop-up and gilded pages – and comprises five chapters spanning the designer’s life, his shoes, the places they were created and his 20 years of design.

What’s more, Louboutin recruited some of his famous friends – his ‘vast family’ – to contribute, including Dita Von Teese, Kristin Scott-Thomas and Mika, plus additional photography from his collaboration with David Lynch.

The book’s set for release in October next month for £85 (€100) – we suggest you snap it up sharpish. In the meantime, though, flick through our gallery below for a sneak peek of some of the photos…

[Show as slideshow]

0 comment(s)

Latest rumours in the fashion world suggest Alber Elbaz could be the successor of Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel.

Ok, so we all know Karl isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Earlier in the year, the most prolific fashion designer said he planned to “die with his boots on and has also compared his role to fashion’s version of “death row. But if, and that’s a big if, Karl ever was to leave his design helm at Chanel, it seems Alber is a likely choice to take his place.

Following Lanvin’s Paris show, an unnamed top retailer said: “It was almost like he was saying, ‘Look at what I can do’, reports Vogue UK. “He has the ready-to-wear, the accessories, the personality, all the attention of the press… that larger-than-life-ness that is required to run a house like Chanel.

“Karl is Karl , even at 76, he is the most prolific designer in fashion. Who else works on his level? one magazine fashion director said. “But this show was so good that it almost proved if anyone else can even think about doing Chanel, it’s Alber.

We wonder what Alber’s got to say about all this? Surely he’d only take the role if the people were “nice at Chanel. As creative director at Lanvin, he surprised us recently by stretching his design work to illustrate a book for Mika; that’s one we didn’t see coming.

Exciting as these rumours are, we don’t think Mr. Lagerfeld is going anywhere for a while.

[Images]

1 comment(s)

Yep, you read that right. Christian Louboutin has dipped his toe into the mini-movie making business.

The French shoe designer , who makes us fall head over heels for his red-soled shoes, quite literally , has directed his very first short film in celebration of the new Hollywood Louboutin store.

Psycho-logic, an eight minute Hitchcock-type part-thriller-part-love story (which we’ve dubbed ‘thrillmance’), tells the story of a young woman finding her ultimate fantasy at the new Hollywood Louboutin store, and sees the supreme shoe sire make a cameo appearance alongside Elisa Sednaoui. Well, we’d expect nothing less than a healthy helping of self-promotion.

According to Grazia, music for the film comes courtesy from fashion’s new friend Mika. Maybe his high pitched squeals reminded Louboutin of the shower scene in Psycho?

You can watch Louboutin’s Psycho-logic here, and if you’re really nosey, catch a behind-the-scenes peek, too.

He is a very talented soul, isn’t he?

[Images]

0 comment(s)

Lanvin’s artistic director, Alber Elbaz, has put his creative streak in full flow by illustrating a book for pop marvel Mika.

The singer got Elbaz on board, as well as a number of other designers and artists, to illustrate the Mika book, which will be released alongside the his new EP Songs of Sorrow.

Maybe Elbaz didn’t hear what the four-song EP is called , his cute, colourful and kitsch underwater drawing is anything but sad.

According to WWD, other fashion figures who have contributed to Mika’s book include Paul Smith, Manish Arora and Walter Van Beirendonck. We really can’t help but be a little intrigued as to what they will have come up with.

The Mika book will be on sale in Lanvin boutiques in London, Paris, Tokyo and Monaco. We can’t wait to have a peek.

[Images]

0 comment(s)

If you’re a regular to the site, then you’ll know that we do like ourselves a bit of Mika and we’re not the only ones. According to the metro fashion designer Paul Smith is fond of him too and has signed the curly haired singer to front his spring/summer ad campaign scheduled to launch on the 1st of February, for a six figure sum. Can’t wait!

[Image:Flickr]

0 comment(s)

Some music to get the weekend started…

and an interview with the maestro….

2 comment(s)