Rossy de Palma and Christian Louboutin. Photo: Courtesy Christian Louboutin
Spanish actress, model, and muse of Pedro Almodovar Rossy de Palma can now add accessories designer to her long list of creative ventures. Teaming up with Christian Louboutin, the duo reveal a collection of women’s and men’s shoes, fans, and bags, Flamencaba, launching this month. In the initial days of their creative brainstorms, the duo knew they wanted to create something around Flamenco, “especially with the shoes,” adds de Palma. “Flamenco is not only Spanish or Andalusian, it’s a universal art, and I wanted to pay tribute to it. What started as a small project, grew into a whole collection.” Polka-dots, vintage fabrics, sequins, fishnet, and embroidery adorn the opulent pieces painted in black and rouge hues.
Christian Louboutin and Rossy de Palma for Flamencaba. Photo: Courtesy Christian Louboutin
“There is one thing that I love about Christian: working is playing, in a way,” comments de Rossy. “He’s an admirable person because you never see him stressed. He gives you a lot of attention and for me, that’s love too. Love is attention, real attention.” For this collection, Louboutin explains that what was important to him was to showcase the relationship to dance. A propos, to fete their collaboration, guests took enjoyed a unique dance performance at the National Theater of the Opera Comique during Paris Fashion Week.
Christian Louboutin and Rossy de Palma for Flamencaba. Photo: Courtesy Christian Louboutin
The pieces evoke a joy of living, the essence of Flamenco. “It if joy of living, but with a dramatic and melancholic spirit,” explains de Palma. The fringes in the collection are inspired by the scarves worn by Flamenco dancers. “I worked with Christian and his collaborators a lot. He gives his touch, and his validation of course,” assures de Palma of the process. “He is surrounded by a team that is refined like an orchestra and he is the chef. His whole team has an incredible heart, and they can get with any music. In our case, it’s the Flamencaba, there was no false note.” De Palma, who met Louboutin at a dinner, explains that the two have been friends for decades. “He is interested by so many topics—he travels, he is always has this joy of living and peace of mind at the same time. He is curious, he creates, he innovates. He loves people, diversity, and cultures.”
Christian Louboutin and Rossy de Palma for Flamencaba. Photo: Courtesy Christian Louboutin
Louboutin explains the collection came together starting with language, then music, craftsmanship, sculpture, word work, and costume. “I always had a true fascination for all cultures, and I really pay a lot of attention to make sure they are under the spotlight and can have a voice. We need to look beyond ourselves and our own communities,” he says of the message behind the collection. Part of the Flamencaba proceeds will go to the Centro Coreografico Maria Page, an organization that promotes dance and Spain’s cultural heritage as a model of social and civic commitment for all.
Christian Louboutin and Rossy de Palma for Flamencaba. Photo: Courtesy Christian Louboutin
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