Monsieur Louboutin Interview on Anothermag

Using his modern interpretation of the original Proust Questionnaire, Jefferson Hack uncovers the true mindsets of his peers

On the first day of Paris fashion week, Christian Louboutin the French master of footwear shares his thoughts on life’s concerns and pleasures.

What are you thinking of right now?
My lunch: it’s one O’clock.

What makes you laugh?
Lately, Justin Timberlake doing Single ladies.

What do you consider to be the greatest invention?
The wheel, because I love curves.

Do you have a mentor or inspirational figure who has guided or influenced you?
Florenz Ziegfield for all his cabaret shows in the Thirties and Forties, and the movie the Ziegfield Follies.

Where do you feel most at home?
It’s sad, but in planes at the moment. Otherwise, in Paris.

Where are you right now?
In my studio in Paris, freezing, with a hat on, waiting for the electrician.

What is your proudest achievement in life?
In work and in life, it’s remaining free.

What do you most dislike about contemporary culture?
This ridiculous obsession with bad contemporary art and the cult of mediocre celebrity.

What do you most like about the age we live in?
That we are able to travel so far; that we can go quickly and easily.

At what points do life and work intersect?
When your work is your passion.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Never judge anyone if you don' t want to be judged yourself.

What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Jumping from a parachute drunk!

Recommend a book or poem that has changed your perspective on life?
Fragments d'un Discours Amoureux by Roland Barthes – it rescued me from a love suicide.

What is your earliest childhood memory?
It’s not a nice one, but I survived.

What’s the most important relationship in your life?

With myself: I don't dislike myself and I love to be in my own company.

What’s the most romantic action you’ve taken?
Diving from a 25m high diving board, even though I'm really scared jumping off a pavement.

What’s the most spiritual action you’ve taken?
Fasting for a whole week.

If you could wish for one change in the world what would it be?
That everybody could afford my shoes.

If you could add one question to this project questionnaire what would it be?
Who the fuck invented this exhausting questionnaire?