When Parisian shoe designer Christian Louboutin said earlier this week that super-slim doll Barbie, for whom he is designing footwear, had "fat ankles", it caused something of an uproar. However, the celebrity cobbler du jour would like to set the record straight.
"Barbie's foot has always been shaped less ‘curvy' than the rest of her perfect body," he told WWD. "I just added my little science to Barbie and I've been proud to serve her, but fat ankles she didn't have, she just could have had thinner ankles. That's all."
"My God, what a story," he added, referring to the controversy surrounding his comments, "There has been a bit of confusion there, but it's just the proof that Barbie has real serious fans."
Louboutin's remarks came about as part of a project he is undertaking with Barbie manufacturers Mattel as the famous doll celebrates her 50th birthday. Louboutin will serve as a yearlong godfather to Barbie and customise three dolls, which are inspired by Egyptian queen Nefertiti and 50s silver screen icon Marilyn Monroe. He has also created an accessories collection for the toys and a Barbie diary.
What's more, the French shoe designer has also designed a pair of life-size heels in Barbie pink complete with his signature scarlet sole, which debuted during New York Fashion Week in February as part of a Barbie-inspired catwalk show.
The three dolls, a jewel thief Barbie, safari Barbie and Cannes Film Festival Barbie, come packaged in Louboutin shoe boxes complete with four pairs of Barbie-size Louboutin heels. They will cost around £92 each and are available to buy from net-a-porter.com and barbiecollector.com from December. Both sites will also offer a Christian Louboutin Barbie shoe range of 12 pairs for £25 a set. Sweet.
Picture: Christian Louboutin with actress Thandie Newton.
