Christian on Madison Ave, NYC

Doesn't look like much, does it? Christian Louboutin's flagship at 965 Madison Avenue is a cuddly nook down a few steps from the street and completely unassuming compared to its attention-whore neighbor, The Whitney Museum of Art. 

Inside, the shoes are displayed as in his other locations: set into clear plexi cubby holes with extra little accessories for interest (flowers or jewels, for example). When we snapped this pic last week, the shoe below was the star of the window. But you know in an economy like this one, retail price never lasts long and now the same shoes (in grey and black) can be found on sale at Saks. Sigh. 

A Red-Soled Ode to: Black Mesh

Vizu and Unknown

Baladi Elba and Air Con

Kitty and Quadrillette

Of all the sexy treatments favored by Louboutin, one of the most prevalent is black mesh with a nude lining. It also happens to be a personal favorite as this writer owns the heeled version of the Baladi Elba above (and Juliana has it in white). 

So why does a showpiece mesh shoe appear in almost every season of CL designs? We think it has to with Christian's love for toe cleavage, as mesh takes it even farther. One of his most well known and cleavage-y styles is the Pigalle, and although not pictured, they are most definitely made in mesh. Shoes like these are made for women who don't walk much, but take taxis and private cars. That probably explains why we don't get enough wear out of our Baladis.

[Images via ShopStyle, Bob Ellis Shoes, Barneys]