Yesterday in Florence, French designer Christian Louboutin joined menswear’s most esteemed tastemakers as a first-time special project of Pitti Immagine
Louboutin Bike Polo
Yesterday in Florence, French designer Christian Louboutin joined menswear’s most esteemed tastemakers as a first-time special project of Pitti Immagine Uomo’s 92nd edition. To fête the occasion, the historic Piazza Santa Maria Novella served as the picturesque setting for a high energy, full-day hardcourt Bike Polo tournament that brought together eight teams representing France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA in a fierce but friendly competition, each team of three debuting a key new AW17 style, low-top sneaker Aurelien. Special guests including Raffaello Napoleone, CEO Pitti Immagine, and the Florentine public joined designer Christian Louboutin himself for a robust day-long program.
“I discovered Bike Polo through people in Paris, who are friends with our teams. I love that they are all so passionate. I greatly admire people that have the passion and discipline to make sport their life,” said Mr. Louboutin who told us of his inspiration for the project, which follows last year’s support of the Cuban Olympic delegation to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. For that occasion, Louboutin collaborated with his friend, Henri Tai, and SportyHenri.com to create the uniforms worn by the team for the Closing Ceremony.
Each team of three wore a different colour Aurelien sneaker, customised in form by Louboutin’s Florentine factories solely for the sport and this occasion. Monochromatic colours graced six of the teams, with an iconic red, black and white material mix seen on Seattle team, Gnarcats – and Christian Louboutin himself! With a complex construction, Aurelien is unique in the world of Christian Louboutin, and in fact, in the world of footwear. An innovative mix of authentic Italian craftsmanship and innovative manufacturing technology, each Aurelien sneaker takes two full days to complete, with 50 material components creating the body and outsole of single shoe, 100 in a pair. A red-lined neoprene sock inside the shoe cradles the foot for comfort and enables the shoe to be worn without tying the laces for a strong fashion statement.
Christian Louboutin thanks the exciting mix of fashion and sport specialty brands who kindly supported the Bike Polo teams traveling to Florence to compete at the Bike Polo tournament staged as a special project at Pitti Uomo’s 92nd edition: Louison Bobet and Ashmei, each provided by SportyHenri.com, Lacoste, Levi’s, CNK, HUGO, PEdAL ED and Sundek. Quintessentially Italian refreshments enjoyed on the piazza were provided by San Pellegrino and Campari.
Aurelien debuts today in Christian Louboutin boutiques and online. Spring/Summer 2018.
