Christian Louboutin opens second boutique in India in Mumbai
April 2, 2013: Luxury shoemaker Christian Louboutin has launched its second boutique in India. Located in Mumbai, the store is the flagship for the region. The new space is housed in the elegant heritage site, Horniman Circle, and offers a shopping experience across two floors. The store accommodates both Men’s and Women’s collections as well as bags and small leather goods. The store showcases a retail environment which personifies the playful nature of the brand merged with an appreciation of artisans and traditional techniques within India.
The boutique represents a new store concept from the brand, while also featuring characteristic Christian Louboutin interiors such as signature red carpets and mirror lined white niche alcoves where the shoes perch. Use of both texture and light create a vibrant environment for visitors; the warmth of the hand worked wood accents are juxtaposed with elegant Italian Travertine sandstone, giving a dynamic optical illusion of a ribbons in motion. Within original wall arches at the rear of the space a patchwork of individual brass tiles, photo-etched with original designs, and back lit to enhance their delicate silhouette.
Acknowledging India’s heritage in decorative arts, the focal point of the boutique is a wall covering of colourful tile display, made of wool embroidered and hand-sculpted wooden tiles. Here, local craftsmen have hand worked an elaborate Christian Louboutin logo within the geometric embroidery. A custom made stairway, fabricated in a combination of wood and metal, echoes the whimsical nature of the designer and draws visitors to the upper floor. A larger space is dominated by a wall display of leather tiles, each hand-worked by master embroiders from Chennai, and interspersed with pleated leather shelving displays for men's designs. A smaller suite acts as a luxurious area reserved for personal shopping appointments.
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