Ch. 3 - Ethics and Social Responsibility

How much ethics and social responsibility can a brand have when the inspiration comes from everything from exotic dancers to exotic travel, incorporating elements of burlesque and unashamed feminine glamour for its customers. In fact, if you just take a quick stroll through Senor Louboutins shoe names, you’ll find things like Frisky Girl, Sex and candy, Tiny .. well you get the point. In an interview by CNN Christian stated that “growing up in the French capital, he became intoxicated by the glamour of the Moulin Rouge. And at just 16 years old, he went to work for the famed cabaret Folies Bergère, where he began by sewing sequins onto costumes before honing his skills as a cobbler under legendary French shoe designer Charles Jourdan. "Yes, burlesque and cabaret has always been a big inspirational thing for me," said Louboutin. "I have this thing for sure that women, in every woman, there is a showgirl in a way." So how much morality, ethics, and social resposibility can this one man empire hold?

Well, truth be told, Mr. Louboutin does think outside h is friskyness. In 2013 he offered Marie Claire readers his gold-studded, suede Geo Pump from his fall collection, with a percentage of sale proceeds going to the Grameen Foundation. The Grameen foundation helps microfinance institutions in communities around the world alleviate poverty by making loans and providing financial services to people, especially women, in need. The foundation was inspired by Grameen Bank founder and Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus' book Creating a World Without Poverty. Louboutin first worked with Grameen in 2010, when he created the limited-edition Peace of Shoe pump to benefit the foundation as well.

Louboutin also regularly donates exclusive pieces to be auctioned out in fundraisers and worldwide events including the partnership with UNAIDS where they did a fundraising Gala to raise funds to stop new HIV infections among children. He also recently collaborated with friend Elisa Sednaoui who established a cultural center for Egyptian children hoping to alleviate the pressure of the economic crisis and revolution on children. Anyone can go on mygoodness.com to help raise funds, but not without getting back something spectacular! The campaign works like a combination of a kickstarter program and a lottery. For every donation, which can be as little as $10, you are entered to win a grand prize. A VERY grand prize to some.  You enter for a chance to win a weekend in Paris, all expenses paid and a stay at the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal with a friend. You also get to meet Christian Louboutin and Elise Sednaoui in his studio. You receive a relaxing treatment at Spa Darphin and party at the Crazy Horse. There are also Louboutin books and shoes to be won. A pair of red soles is an investment, certainly in this case, it's an investment in someone's future in some cases too. How's that for emotionally uplifting?