She may be among the most potent emblems of excess and conspicuous consumption, but that hasn't stopped Christian Louboutin turning to Marie Antoinette as his latest muse. In these times of economic gloom, a press release from the shoe designer states it's a time to appreciate "art, beauty and craftsmanship in its purest form". Following last year's collaboration with film maker David Lynch, the result of which was a collection of fetish shoes, the cobbler has teamed up with embroiderer-to-the-Couture Jean-Francois Lesage to create a limited edition collection inspired by the fabled wife of Louis XVI. With only 36 pairs available (each marked with a limited edition number), they will be sold in a specially-created box. The silk peep-toe, ankle strap stilettos come in three colour choices of pink, yellow or blue, and are covered with hand-embroidered flowers and lace edging, reminiscent of the Queen's fabulous style. They even have a likeness of her face, complete with pompadour wig, attached to the ankle strap, topped with a miniature of a ship - one of her more famous hair adornments. The price is very in line with the theme, too: £3,975 a pop, and available from 24 February at the Christian Louboutin boutique on London's Mount Street.
See photographs of the shoes, along with the entire spring/summer 2009 collection, on the recently relaunched Christian Louboutin website.
Picture: Marie Antoinette shoe by Christian Louboutin and Jean-Francois Lesage
