Five, six, seven, eight! Christian Louboutin unveiled its Texan-inspired AW24 collection through a fashion-focused dance performance in Paris last week and it was enough to have the fash pack all up on its feet and swivelling its hips.

Nestled within Paris’ pigalle district – a neighbourhood that Monsier Louboutin frequented in his formative years – is the historic theatre hall Le Trianon, which hosted this season’s Loubi Show, the fifth of its kind. Adhering to the maison’s usual performative antics (and love for live entertainment), it tapped French choreographer and artistic director Leo Walk to imagine the dancers’ movements. But the showcase was truly a team effort. Clara Cappagli and Armand Bultheel of French sythn-pop duo Agar Agar performed live while dancers swirled around them and esteemed French-American visual artist Jan Melka sculpted its rather avant-garde scenography.

Themed around youthful friendships, Walk’s choreography blended contemporary dance styles with hip-hop movements, and was performed by twelve dancers from his dance company, La Marche Bleue. But amidst their popping and locking, leaps and port de bras, our attention was drawn downward towards the familiar red-soled shoes they all wore. Sporting crystal embellished MJ Moc Loafers or revamped Miss Sabine sandals, dancers showcased the maison’s exceptional artisanal ability and dedication to craft.

The rest of the collection was exhibited within a gallery at Le Trianon, and showcased a mesh of vibrant sequins, western-informed footwear and hot handheld bags. Highlighting horse-shoe and lightning bolts prints, the compact carryall were utterly magnetic. On feet, there was a diamanté bedecked loafer in eye-catching oranges, pinks and yellow and a baby blue, red-soled high heel adorned with feather-like fluff. Both tall and short cowboy boots bore beaded embroidery featuring bronco-riding rodeo scenes or bright cacti and blooming florals. Their buckles featured gold calligraphic Louboutin logos and additional hardware came in the shape of stars and studs. A highlight of the outing was a 3D-flower embellished Mary-jane heel that looked as if it’d been pulled straight out of the Garden of Eden. It was exquisite.

Louboutin lived out its wild west fantasy. Cowboy hats off to it.

christianlouboutin.com