Christian Louboutin is expanding its network of North American stores. The luxury shoe brand has opened its latest global location in Toronto and is planning two more, in Honolulu and Houston.
The brand unlocked the glass doors to its fairy tale-inspired boutique — its first flagship in Canada — in Toronto’s Yorkville shopping district on Aug. 5. Spanning 2,625 square feet over two floors, the freestanding store was designed by Household, the London and Los Angeles agency, which emulated an enchanted forest in the middle of the city.
The facade is soaked in red with white curved trim tracing the points of the Victorian architecture. Inside, the woodsy motif continues with silver birch wallpaper, deep green sofas and branches bent from antique brass extending to the ceiling — all of which contrast with the plush red carpeting.
To support its growing men’s business, which dresses celebrities such as Miles Teller and David Oyelowo for their red carpet appearances, it mimicked a cabin in the woods on the top floor. Bags are clustered on a wall to create a dense canopy and a tree trunk is polished into a sophisticated coffee table. Walnut and nickel plinths serve as strong bases for top-selling styles.
The brand has gradually grown the footprint for its stores selling shoes with signature red soles. The first opened in 1992 in Paris. Following the most recent location in Toronto, the next store is slated to bow Aug. 25 in Honolulu and another on Sept. 30 at The Galleria in Houston. By then, Louboutin will have 136 stores worldwide.
Moreover, it has diversified beyond accessories. After breaking into the beauty arena two years ago with nail polish, it’s been growing its cosmetics collection. In June, it introduced Loubalique, a set of deeply pigmented and high-shine lip lacquer, which was appropriately inspired by patent leather shoes.