Christian Louboutin Retrospective Showcases 20 Years Of Design (PHOTOS)

From stilettos to lace-up boots, studded sneakers and bejewelled pumps, the Design Museum for the first time has presented a retrospective dedicated to the creations of the iconic French shoe designer Christian Louboutin.

Showcasing twenty years of designs and inspiration, the exhibition which runs from May 1 to July 9, 2012, will explore Louboutin's design process, taking the visitor through every stage of the design journey revealing how a shoe is constructed, from the initial drawing and first prototype to production in the factory.

Besides this, the exhibition will also provide reference to the origins of the iconic red sole that the brand is known for. There will also be a special section dedicated to the shoes designed for Fetish an exhibition at the La Gallerie Du Passage, Paris, in 2007. It is a unique collaboration in photography by Louboutin and acclaimed artist David Lynch.

Looking beyond design and production, the exhibition will also explore the company's innovative store design in which Louboutin is always closely involved.

Drawing from Christian Louboutin's personal archives, the exhibition will present his celebrated shoe designs with special references to the latest Louboutin collections that also include a range for men, besides desirable handbags.

In addition to the retrospective, Louboutin has also launched a special capsule collection to celebrate his 20th anniversary.

In France, 20 years defines a generation, Vogue quoted Louboutin as saying. This is a celebration of the first generation of this brand; an anniversary of its first young adventure.

The capsule includes 20 styles of shoes and six bags, inspired by Louboutin's work over the past 20 years, to be sold at special shops and boutiques worldwide.