The exhibition ‘L’Exhibition[niste]’, which explores the work of fashion designer Christian Louboutin, was screened at Paris’s Palais Porte Dorée in 2020. Now follows a second part of the exhibition, which can be seen from July 9th to August 28th at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
As with the first exhibition, the second chapter is dedicated to the work and creativity of Louboutin, who is best known in the fashion world for his shoe designs with red soles. This time, the focus is primarily on his relationship to art and artists, as well as Monaco’s cultural offerings, from which the fashion designer was inspired. Olivier Gabet, director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and curator of the exhibition, has prepared new insights for the second round, presented in a collaborative way at the Grimaldi Forum.
A journey through Louboutin’s sources of inspiration
Louboutin, who founded his eponymous label in the early 1990s, had a liking for Monaco from the very beginning of his creative career – touched by the diversity of Monegasque life and the importance of art and show business, Louboutin turned to the Principality for inspiration for his to create artistic creation. Louboutin was also inspired by the rich collections of the Oceanographic Museum and the New National Museum of Monaco.
Exhibits of all kinds are shown on more than 2,000 square meters – in addition to shoe creations that have remained unpublished so far, collaborations with artists and designers are also presented as part of the exhibition. These include a 3D installation by artist Allen Jones, a video by artist Lisa Reihana and a piece of jewelry by jewelry designer and artistic director of Dior Joaillerie Victoire de Castellane.
Louboutin, who helped put it together himself, hopes the exhibition will honor those who inspired him throughout his career as a designer. The exhibition differs from a classic retrospective – the Grimaldi Forum Monaco describes it as “a joyful odyssey through three decades of exuberant creativity, which is characterized by curiosity about all cultures and arts”, according to the Grimaldi Forum.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is the ‘Musée Imaginaire’ room, where Louboutin’s own collected art is brought together with other works. Some of them come from Monegasque collections. Themes are presented in the room that Louboutin reflects in his designs: his love of dance and ballet, his passion for African and Asian art, as well as pop art by Andy Warhol, photographic masterpieces by Helmut Newton and his fascination with the oceans.
