In the mid-1970s, while touring a museum in his hometown of Paris, Christian Louboutin came across a sign that would alter the course of his entire life. Indicating that stiletto heels were banned on the premises, it depicted a pair of the shoes with a red “no” symbol over them. For Louboutin, the image sparked a fascination with shoe design that led to him sketching original prototypes as a young teenager, working in major fashion houses by 20, and opening his own salon in 1991. It wasn’t long after starting his shop that his classic red-soled stilettos were born—and since then, Louboutin’s distinctive footwear has been ever-present on runways, in movies and television shows, and on the shelves of high-end shops around the world. On this week’s episode of Table for Two, the legendary designer joins host Bruce Bozzi and discusses his childhood in France, the moment he realized the extent of his success, and the current state of men’s fashion.

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