Interiors: Christian Louboutin’s Egyptian Retreat

Christian Louboutin [Africa Inspired]

[Image credit: Christian Louboutin’s Egyptian Retreat – Elle Decor US edition]

Doing a bit of light reading I was flicking through Camilla Morton’s ‘A Year in High Heels’ when I happened to land on the page about Christian Louboutin on Egypt. The French shoe designer has a home there, in the desert near the city of  Aswân, and inspired by the beauty and tranquility of his surroundings is the place he goes to draw all his shoe collections, I guess away from all the distractions of modern living and fast-paced glamour of the industry he operates in. Recalling his first visit to Egypt at the age of fifteen, Christian tries to go every two months for a few weeks throughout the year and in addition to designing his collections takes the time to rest and practice yoga. Just a few days ago my sister and I were oohing and aaahing over his latest collections, and whilst looking for further information on his home in Egypt I was rewarded with the US edition of Elle Decor’s current January/February 2012 issue, running a feature on the designer’s Egyptian retreat. 

Situated on the West Bank of Luxor near the Temple Medinet Habu, and with views that include the sacred mountains of Theba and an all green oasis, Christian’s house used to be a craftsman’s workshop and inspired by the Egyptian architect and artist Olivier Sednaoui was built with earthen bricks using an ancient Egyptian technique going back thousands of years. Whilst rebuilding, a process Christian admitted was a nightmare, Christian took the opportunity to add another floor and a roof terrace to the house to take advantage of the stunning views. 

[Image credits: top, Christian Louboutin’s Egyptian Retreat – Elle Decor US edition; 
bottom left, Mendoza; and right, Devidas – Christian Louboutin Spring/Summer 2012 Cruise Collection]

Detailing in the naturally coloured walls, carved feature windows, and elegant archways has resulted in a rustic haven that displays another side to the designer. The rooms are sparsely furnished, decorated with antique and traditional furniture and objects collected on Christian’s travels and include handmade furniture from Cameroon, handwoven rugs and inlaid tables from Morocco and intricately embroidered fabrics from Uzbekistan elements of which I pick up in the Mendoza and Devidas shoes from the designer’s Spring/Summer 2012 Cruise Collection. Laid with terracotta flooring throughout, the result is a rustic haven, a home that is unfussy, a contrast to his often detailed designs. Evenings are enjoyed around a fireplace in an open-air courtyard, a place that Christian acknowledges as the heart of the home. Allowing himself a modern touch, on the rooftop terrace you will find a state-of-the-art telescope placed to gaze at the stars, no doubt dreaming up all those gorgeous red-soled creations. 

[Image credit: Christian Louboutin’s Egyptian Retreat – Elle Decor US edition]

…simple yet inspirational

Additional information sourced from:
Morton, Camilla. (2008). A Year in High Heels. Hodder & Stoughton.
www.elledecor.com/decorating

Additional details:
For further information about Christian Louboutin visit: www.christianlouboutin.com
To read the online feature visit: www.elledecor.com