Sandra‘s Closet

Yesterday I had an amazing experience with Christian Louboutin, when I visited his small atelier, the famed L’Atelier Sur Mesure, on Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, which is reserved for private customers and one-of-a-kind creations. It is located just a few doors from the first-ever Christian Louboutin store.

Most of the footwear is manufactured and produced at his factory in Milan, but here dreams come true as you can enjoy a made to measure service. This is haute couture for your feet. Here your measurements matter when you start a meticulous 8-step process to achieving the perfectly sculpted pair of shoes.

When you arrive at Christian Louboutin’s Paris Atelier, your Cinderella journey starts. Several key points of your feet will be measured. After that, precise, three-dimensional imprints are made by stepping into foam moulds.

You will have to choose which silhouette will be your base, for example the Kate or the Pigalle pumps, and you are then spoilt for choice, with the opportunity to customize your preferred silhouette, heel height, toe shape, desired material and other embellishments.

Three-dimensional foot casts are sculpted, that help the artisans to create the shoe’s first draft by hand in leather before other specialists sew and assemble the final product. This process takes months as these drafts undergo multiple reassessments and adjustments before reaching their final, impeccably finished state. Every shoe is ultimately approved by Christian Louboutin, himself and you as a client are allowed immense involvement in the entire process, through the sharing of ideas and expectation.

I personally experienced the craftsmanship to apply Swarovski crystals to the satin base of the shoe. It is such a difficult procedure and you appreciate the skills of the artisans even more.

Visiting the L’Atelier Sur Mesure was an incredible experience especially as I am obsessed with shoes.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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PRADA presents a new range of options for the Made to Order Women’s Shoe collection, a project dedicated to giving customers the opportunity to create a unique, custom-made shoe.
Eighteen models of pumps, slingbacks, ballet flats, boots and sandals with or without platforms and with eight different heel heights are available in a wide range of materials and shades.

The range of iconic Prada prints on a patent leather base has been expanded, with the Lipstick, Barocco and Roses as well as the new Dahlia flames and Mermaids flames patterns: Prada’s iconic prints from various seasons are mixed for a totally new and striking result.

The pumps and slingbacks can now be customized with a detachable poplin bow that comes in nine different prints.

After choosing the model, material and colour, customers can select the colour of the sole (black, phard or light blue) and add their initials, charms or numbers. As an alternative, it will be possible to add the same elements – but in leather – on the exclusive satin dust bag.

The customization continues beyond the product: the packaging for the shoes will match the style chosen so either the classic blue box embellished with an elastic band and metal plaque or one of the Prada prints. The shoes will be delivered eight weeks from order.

 During the month of March PRADA is going to offer this service in Switzerland:
Zurich March 1 – 10, 2019
Lugano March 14 – 20, 2019
Geneva March 22 – 28, 2019

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Prada