Following successful collaborations marking the release of Cinderella (2012) and Maleficent (2014), Christian Louboutin is pleased to once again collaborate with The Walt Disney Studios to commemorate the release of the latest, highly anticipated entry in the Star Wars saga—Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Invited to San Francisco earlier this year by Lucasfilm, the designer was welcomed at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), the innovative studio leading VFX and animation for the Star Wars franchise. There, in meetings with Vice President and Executive Creative Director for the Star Wars franchise, Doug Chiang, the idea of the Nomad Shoemaker’s masterpiece was born; the result is an imaginative and innovative mix of the Christian Louboutin and Star Wars teams’ creativity and savoir faire.
“Disney’s call regarding Star Wars was completely unexpected and surprised me. But I like surprises and this one particularly intrigued me! At first sight, the Star Wars universe and mine seemed far away from one another but when I saw the pictures of the red planet Crait, I instantly understood where it connected and why they had thought of me. Strong ideas and images spontaneously came to my mind,” said Christian Louboutin.
Debuting at the film’s premiere in Los Angeles, the showpiece shoe takes inspiration from the franchise, as well as styles in Christian Louboutin’s collection and a boundary-pushing art piece from the archives, the Ballerina Ultima, which boasts a breathtaking 6” heel. To complement the showpiece shoe, Christian Louboutin has created four exclusive custom shoe styles epitomizing the spirit of four of the film’s heroines: Rey (Daisy Ridley), Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (Laura Dern), Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie) and Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran).
Rey (Daisy Ridley) is portrayed by an ankle-strap leather sandal inspired by the character’s costumes including the harnesses that strap her body, while translucent PVC reflects her Jedi powers and the Force she embodies. The style is finished with a blue strass heel evoking the color of her lightsaber.
Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo’s (Laura Dern’s) pumps are the natural extension of her costume, directly inspired by her draped burgundy cape and the strong, reserved and empowered character she portrays.
Captain Phasma’s (Gwendoline Christie’s) shoe is evoked by the curves of her armor, represented by silver specchio leather yokes, reflecting her strict and authoritative character.
Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) is represented through a utilitarian sandal imagined by Christian Louboutin, depicting a technical, engineering-driven individual. The strong heel protects an inner stiletto, reflecting the shell safeguarding her resilient spirit.
Each style is embellished with a bespoke glimmering jewel inspired by the Tie Fighter.
“Christian Louboutin’s shoes are truly functional works of art and it was such a pleasure to collaborate with him on the Nomad Shoemaker. The designs I create for films are meant to be experienced cinematically, while Christian’s have an intimate tangible relationship with their wearers. With this collaboration he has masterfully infused Star Wars into his magnificent, one-of-a-kind creations,” said Doug Chiang.
The Nomad Shoemaker’s story will continue with the unveiling of this unique showpiece shoe, created by Christian Louboutin and ILM, guarded by a set of glossy red members of the Praetorian Guard, on the red carpet of the film’s world premiere in Los Angeles on December 9. The custom display for the shoe will feature a hyper-realistic holographic installation. For the designer, the use of a hologram was the best way to express his vision: a combination of creativity, enchanted by magic, enriched by technology. To him, the hologram is the most iconic visual effect of the franchise. This is how the story of the Nomad Shoemaker will be brought to life, inside a unique red crystal showcase, blurring the lines between reality and 3D animation. In this custom-made cabinet will be featured the story of Christian’s avatar—transforming a shredded chiffon pump, symbolic of Couture tradition into a spectacular, futuristic Ballerina Ultima-inspired-spaceship, to convoy the designer around the galaxy.
The commemorative styles—each signed by the designer, as well as the actress who portrays each character the style was created for—will be auctioned on charitybuzz.com/StarWars from December 7 – December 20, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Starlight Children’s Foundation on behalf of Star Wars: Force for Change. The showpiece shoe, unveiled at the premiere on December 9, will be added to the auction after its much-anticipated reveal. Star Wars: Force for Change, a charitable initiative from Lucasfilm and Disney, harnesses the strength of Star Wars to empower and improve the lives of children around the world. Starlight Children’s Foundation creates moments of joy and comfort for hospitalized kids and their families.
ABOUT STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI:
In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.
The film stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen
Kennedy and Ram Bergman. J.J. Abrams, Tom Karnowski and Jason McGatlin are the executive producers. Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in U.S. theaters on December 15, 2017.
ABOUT STAR WARS: FORCE FOR CHANGE
Star Wars: Force for Change, a charitable initiative from Lucasfilm and Disney, harnesses the strength of Star Wars to empower and improve the lives of children around the world. Since 2014, it was inspired by Star Wars fans, and the countless hours they have dedicated to philanthropy over the past four decades. To date, over $16 million has been raised for charitable causes around the world on behalf of Star Wars: Force for Change. With a bright future ahead, and new Star Wars stories to be told, Force for Change aims to continue collaborating with causes and encouraging others to be forces for change in their own community. To learn more, please visit ForceForChange.com.
ABOUT STARLIGHT CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
Starlight creates moments of joy and comfort for hospitalized kids and their families. For 35 years, Starlight’s programs have positively impacted more than 60 million critically, chronically and terminally ill or injured children in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. With your help, more kids and their families will enjoy Starlight Brave Gowns, Starlight Fun Centers and other Starlight programs at a children’s hospital or facility near you. Support Starlight’s work by visiting www.starlight.org.
ABOUT CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
Christian Louboutin established his business in the First Arrondissement of Paris in 1992. An artist and craftsman with a passion for shoes, his designs for both women and men are unique and recognizable thanks to their signature: the red lacquered soles, and his collections combine wit, glamour, elegance and technical proficiency like none other.
A woman’s natural beauty has always been at the centre of the designer’s inspiration, and 2014 welcomed the launch of Christian Louboutin Beauté with its first nail colour, Rouge Louboutin. Since, the designer has released a range of lipsticks, an eye collection and three fragrances for women: Bikini Questa Sera, Tornade Blonde & Trouble in Heaven.
With a prolific collection of women’s and men’s shoes, handbags and small leather goods, Christian Louboutin now counts more than 135 boutiques around the world.
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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