The new shoe department in Brown Thomas, the biggest of its kind in this country, was opened yesterday by internationally celebrated French footwear designer Christian Louboutin, who flew in from Paris for the event.
The 560sq m (6,000sq ft) shoe rooms on the first floor - double the size of the previous location - comprises five areas displaying international designers, the Jimmy Choo boutique (due to open in July), LK Bennett and leading contemporary labels.
Designed by Canadian company Burdifilek, the new department, luxuriously furnished and decorated with bespoke fittings and handmade carpets, represents an investment of more than €10 million and is part of the ongoing refurbishment of the store.
Master craftsmen were brought from America to carry out intricate wall finishes such as lacquered zebra wood, suede and painted canvas. Window space has been opened up to allow in natural light.
"Our vision is to showcase the pick of international designers," Stephen Sealy, BT's group buying director, said. "In terms of environment, we have tried to move it up a level and give it a special and unique feel."
Some of the newly introduced well-known labels include Alexander McQueen, Chloe, Dries Van Noten, Hugo Boss, Paul Smith and Alexandra Neel, and there are expanded selections from Gucci, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana.
Mr Louboutin, the son of a carpenter, started making shoes in Paris as a teenager and did his apprenticeship with Charles Jourdan, later working for Roger Vivier.
Today he creates some 100,000 pairs of shoes a year, turns over €11 million, has 47 employees, and shops in Paris, New York, London, Moscow and Los Angeles.
Known as much for his sexy and seductive footwear as his signature red leather soles, his collections have also always featured practical pumps, slip ons and round toes, as well as more dramatic items.
His first pair of shoes were fashioned out of mackerel and pleated herring skins with a bow made of sardines "because I am allergic to fish". "I integrate things that I go through in my life and put them in a subtle way in my collection."
