The trio united on a new collection of footwear that benefits Black youth.
Christian Louboutin, Sabrina Elba, and Idris Elba Reinvented Red-bottoms for a Cause
Christian Louboutin’s iconic red-bottom heels are one of the ultimate luxury status symbols. But a new collaboration with Idris and Sabrina Elba, launching today, is reimagining them for a thoughtful cause.
Like so many 2020 projects, Louboutin, Idris, and Sabrina’s new shoe partnership first began out of a virtual chat last summer. On June 15th of last year, the Black Lives Matter movement was at the center of the global conversation with protests occurring around the globe, and Idris and Sabrina went on Instagram Live with BLM’s co-founder, Opal Tometi. “We were having a conversation about what was happening in the world, and how we could contribute,” Sabrina tells Vogue. Louboutin tuned into the chat, and he immediately saw an opportunity to partner with the Elbas to use fashion for more.
Together, the trio decided to produce a shoe collection that would directly benefit Black youth. Out now, the new Louboutin “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” collection was co-designed by the Elbas, and 100 percent of its proceeds will be donated to five nonprofit organizations: Be Rose, Purposeful, Immediate Theatre, Gathering for Justice, and the Somali Hope Foundation. These organizations aid in making the arts accessible to all, ending child incarceration, and providing mentorship for girls, among other causes.
The line includes luxury sleek, pointy-toe pumps and mule sandals for her, high-top sneakers and oxford dress shoes for him, and leather top-handle bags. For the Elbas, it was a tangible way for them (along with their customers) to contribute to a good cause. “Our intention is to contribute to the moment,” says Idris. “Some people can contribute by protesting, by passing legislation, by offering money—but the intention of the contribution is what is important.” Sabrina felt it was important for the charitable components to be global in scope. “We wanted to do something that had an international reach,” she says. “With George Floyd’s murder, there was such a global outcry of pain; People realized this is a global issue.”
This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Christian Allaire
