How Christian Louboutin made Swift's shoes 'slip-free' for Eras tour
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, a global phenomenon for almost two years, will wrap up in Vancouver, Canada on December 8. During each three-hour show, Swift wears multiple costumes and changes at least nine pairs of shoes. The footwear pieces are designed to withstand all weather conditions and enable her to perform comfortably. The secret to their durability and comfort? The soles—designed by legendary French designer Christian Louboutin.
Louboutin's custom designs for Swift's demanding performances
Louboutin has been designing shoes for Swift for years now, and his creations for the Eras Tour include knee-high boots, booties, loafers, lace-up booties, and strappy pumps. Not only Swift, but her dancers also wear these shoes. Speaking to InStyle, Louboutin revealed that he modified his signature red bottoms to include a rubber sole, making them "unslippable."
'Each pair is crafted with a signature red rubber sole...'
"Weather is unpredictable," Louboutin told InStyle. "However, each pair is crafted with a signature red rubber sole, which makes it easy to dance. We typically incorporate this feature for musicians' tours to withstand the performances night after night." Meanwhile, reflecting on his experience working with Swift on the tour, the designer said, "It was very emotional to accompany her in such a big moment in her career."
Swift's shoes: A blend of comfort, quick changes, and durability
Louboutin stressed that every pair has been designed to allow for quick costume changes during the show. He added, "As they are dancing for over three hours, comfort is also extremely important." To achieve this, he added a sturdy block heel and flats to his designs. This makes the shoes not just stylish but also practical for Swift's high-octane performances.
Inspiration and craftsmanship behind Swift's stage shoes
Louboutin took inspiration from Swift's past and his own roots as a designer for cabaret dancers. He enjoyed envisioning how the shoes would come alive during her performances. To create a "big shine" on bejeweled heels, thousands of crystals were hand-placed by atelier members on the knee-high boots she wears at the start of the show and colorful booties worn during her 1989 set.
