paris is louboutining | louboutin’s aquatic show

Christian Louboutin knows how to make a splash — literally. His latest show, held at Paris’s iconic Piscine Molitor, blends high fashion with high art. Imagine the French Olympic artistic swimming team gracefully cutting through the water, but with an audacious twist: they’re doing it in heels. Yes, you read that right. Louboutin’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection took centre stage in a truly unique way, co-created by none other than visionary David LaChapelle and choreographed by Blanca Li.

Stepping into the historic Art Deco pool, designed back in 1929, felt like stepping into a living, breathing kaleidoscope. Vivid colours, synchronised fountains, and the mesmerising movement of dancers and swimmers combined to create a surreal, dreamlike experience. The show itself was a tribute to 1950s Hollywood water ballets reimagined through the Louboutin lens, with LaChapelle’s signature bold, pop-surrealism and Li’s dynamic choreography, blending elegance and athleticism.

For the first time in her career, Blanca Li invited artistic swimmers into her work, transforming the pool into a playground for aquatic acrobatics. As the swimmers disappeared beneath the water, Louboutin’s iconic red soles emerged above the surface in a cheeky, playful nod to his legendary footwear. But it wasn’t just the visual spectacle that captivated the audience. The soundtrack, delivered by singer-songwriter LP, added a magnetic energy to the whole event. This wasn’t just a fashion show; it was a full-blown sensory experience.

With projections dancing across the walls and a giant pair of Louboutin shoes turned into a whimsical slide, there was no shortage of surprises. Even the bathing suits, designed by Fifi Chachnil, gave a nod to old-school Hollywood glamour, while remaining firmly in the realm of contemporary chic.

And in true Louboutin fashion, the event didn’t end when the last heel left the pool. The entire performance was immortalised on film, directed by LaChapelle, and will soon be available to watch on ChristianLouboutin.com.