Christian Louboutin didn’t take last week’s not-so-constructive criticism lying down: The designer, whom I had once interviewed during a personal appearance at Neiman Marcus, fired off a furious e-mail, wondering how I could accuse him of laziness when he had put out shoes like the pleated purple suede d’Orsay pump above.

“Keep trying, Christian,” I replied. “I feel like I’ve seen that shoe before … on Miss Piggy, to be exact.”

After some genteel cursing he offered up the suede and leather lace-up bootie, to slightly better fanfare,. But I still wasn’t feeling wowed.

“Christian, show me something amazing,” I said. “Show me something some incredible it will make readers gasp. Something that’s iconic and sexy. Something that’s … not available in California.”

So he did.

Hello, Ariella!

I’ll start with the heel: 4.7 inches. To be fair, the hidden platform sole will reduce that heel-to-toe pitch — but not by much. Up next, the material: black python … which brings up one of the more interesting parts of this shoe: It’s not available in the Golden State.

Something I learned yesterday: California has banned the sale of python skin (or parts) since 1970/71, which explains why both Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman have disclaimers on their sites warning that the shoes are not for sale in that state. (You can buy python shoes or bags elsewhere — Las Vegas, anyone? — and wear or carry it into California, but you can’t ship products there for commercial purposes.) Which means my friend Lori also cannot order these boots. Or these (admittedly slightly atrocious) pink platform sandals. (Lori, I’m not rubbing your face in it. I’m commisserating!)

Anyway, back to these booties. (Booties! Booties booties booties booties.) I seriously think I am beginning to find the bootie sort of sexy. (Next week, we might not have a Shoe Hot or Not, if Miachelle drags me in for aversion therapy.) And this one is the epitome of what I think a bootie should be shaped like: lean, aggressive, a little intimidating. These are ass-kicking booties. (Not like, say, these women’s python cowboy boots from Lucchese, which are ass-kicking in a different way, and at about $260 are also less than 1/5 the price of the $1,555 Louboutins … and are only 10 percent of the price of those tall boots linked above.)

By the way, although I did interview him at Neiman Marcus, Louboutin did not really send me an e-mail. (I found this week’s shoe through a link on one of my favorite time-killer websites, Go Fug Yourself.) I think he’s got bigger problems than worrying about what I think of his stuff.

Because the real question is: What do YOU think of his stuff? Cast your vote in the poll below — click on the choice you agree with, or create your own opinion as an option.

ammit

ammit

Plus, post your comment below, under “Leave a Reply,” to be entered to win a prize. In honor of Bliss Spa finally opening its doors at the W Hotel in Scottsdale this week, this post’s winner will get three of Bliss’ best-selling products: Lemon + Sage Body Butter (which sells for $35); Fat Girl Slim body firming cream ($29); and The Youth As We Know It anti-aging facial moisturizing cream ($79). I’ll draw one winner from the entries posted by Sunday, Sept. 28. Good luck!  UPDATE: Congratulations to Sarah, whose comment was chosen as the winner.

ammit

WHAT SAM WORE: 9/16/08
The shirt: Long-sleeved cotton button-up with satin ribbon trim (Ted Baker, San Francisco)
The pants: Poly/rayon/spandex trousers by Kenneth Cole (Last Chance)
The shoes: Black leather lace-ups by Gordon Rush (Last Chance)
The scent: A fragrance created by, and named after, actor Alan Cumming (whose name I fear will set off spam filters for web browsers)
Listening to: “Little Bit” by Lykke Li

sammit

ammit

Posted in: Contests • Shoe Hot Or Not? • Christian Louboutin • Shoe Hot Or Not? |

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