How did you go about designing the collection? What were your starting points and what were your goals for these first designs?
I wanted to build a full story that is inspired by art history, literature, poetry. Like a new movie, a new world. I really like that even if it’s a very small object, it carries a lot of other things emotion, stories, people, movement. Out of a very small thing, you can really see a bigger picture, a bigger world.
For this collection, the main inspiration was the history of working men throughout the centuries: The Stone Masons, The Scribes, The Doctors. The concept is By The Lost Epochs Of Time & Made By Hands Born From Stars Who Were Forged Under Immense Pressure Deep In Cosmic Space.
Christian Louboutin has a number of identifiable features — from iconic red soles to the spike patterns. How present are these in your first collection?
When I design, I always think about how to honour the spirit of Christian Louboutin while bringing my own voice. You will see elements like the red soles they’re iconic, they’re part of the identity, and I wanted them to feel alive in my first collection.
It’s about taking those signature details and giving them a new energy making them feel part of the story I’m telling. I want people to recognise the heritage, but also feel that it’s something fresh, loud, and alive in a way that reflects my perspective.
You have been attending Paris Fashion Week since you were very young. Had you always dreamed of presenting or designing something?
I’ve always been obsessed with shoes and design, but when I first started talking about doing something with Christian Louboutin, I thought it would just be a conversation. I never imagined I’d actually join the House at this moment. But the moment I started exploring the men’s universe, everything changed. I felt free to explore, to create, to bring my own perspective to something that already had a history.
Growing up, I was always around fashion, art, and performance, so being in those spaces always felt natural to me. I don’t know if I dreamed about presenting something in a traditional way, but I always knew I wanted to create I’ve always been fascinated by the process of how from one creative inspiration, it can evolve into a collection, and then into a complete experience.
The announcement portrait was high impact! What was the message you were going for?
For me, it was important that the announcement portrait immediately gave a glimpse into my universe and my vision for the House. I didn’t want a traditional or official portrait. I wanted something impactful and expressive.
Celebrating red was essential. It’s the origin of the House and something I wanted to continue translating in my work. It was also important that Christian was part of the shoot. This moment exists because of him, and our relationship is built on sincerity and respect. In a way I wanted to translate how grateful I am in this shooting.
This interview has been lightly edited.
