Paris,
Forget the runway—this season, Christian Louboutin took fashion to the football field. For its Women’s Spring/Summer 2026 show, the iconic red-soled brand ditched the catwalk in favor of Paris’s Dojo Arena, transforming it into a high-energy, high-glam homage to American homecoming games—with a French twist, of course.
Directed by visual maximalist David LaChapelle and choreographed by Blanca Li, the latest Loubi Show plays out like a halftime show imagined by a surrealist. Think cheerleaders, marching bands, dancers-as-footballers, and even a seahorse mascot (Louboutin’s spirit animal, if you were wondering). The show unfolded in five acts—each a blend of performance art and polished pageantry.
And yes, there was a lawnmower involved. An iconic Parisian model opened the show, casually strolling across the turf like she was trimming hedges in haute couture. The vibe? Part pep rally, part fever dream.
High Kicks, High Camp, High Craft
This wasn’t just about spectacle. It was also a love letter to Louboutin’s craftsmanship and his ever-theatrical imagination. The finale reintroduced the Ballerina Ultima—the near-mythical, vertiginous heel—now reimagined through the Cassia shoe and bedazzled to the hilt. These reworked stilettos were presented as both performance gear and literal candles atop a massive cake. Yes, cake.
The collection leaned heavily into balletcore, with designs like the Cassia Annmac (legwarmer-inspired), Cassiasticina (a nod to real ballerina slippers), and the Ruben—the line’s debut foray into men’s footwear. It was all about balancing delicacy with dynamism, tutus with touchdowns.
Soundtrack to a Surreal Game
Musically, French artist Asphalt (aka Milo Thoretton) brought the sonic flair, blending American pep with French melancholy, performing live in the center of the stadium. His dreamy set added to the show’s romantic, slightly nostalgic undertone—high school dance meets high fashion.
Not Just a Show—A Throwback
While the visuals were pure theater, the emotional core tapped into something more relatable: homecoming nostalgia. That chaotic, hormonal mix of adolescent freedom, awkward dancing, and the belief that anything could happen—except here, everyone’s wearing strass and stilettos.
In the end, Louboutin’s SS26 show wasn’t just a fashion performance—it was a choreographed clash between elegance and athleticism, grace and grit, mascots and Maison-worthy shoes. Surreal? Yes. Sentimental? A bit. Entertaining? Absolutely.
