Teaming up with architect Madalena Caiado and fabric designer Carolina Irving, the famous French shoe manufacturer unveils the Hotel Vermelho in the village of Melides, in the Alentejo region of Portugal.
The Vermelho Hotel, which opened on April 1, takes its name from the Portuguese word for red, the emblematic colour of the world-famous red-soled shoe brand.
The property has 13 customised rooms, a spa, a bar and, of course, a restaurant, all designed by Christian Louboutin himself in collaboration with Portuguese architect Madalena Caiadoe.
For the Vermelho's furniture, Christian Louboutin decided to display finds from auctions or unearthed during his travels. "These pieces are an extension of myself. But hiding them in a warehouse made no sense," he says.
Particular attention has been paid to integration with the surrounding environment, with the property featuring azulejos, the famous Portuguese ceramic tiles. In addition, the colour red is unsurprisingly the main theme of the hotel's decoration.
The choice of location for his first hotel was not made by chance. Christian Louboutin bought a holiday home in this picturesque Portuguese village 12 years ago and fell in love with it. Originally, the shoemaker simply wanted to open a bistro, given the poor gastronomic offer in the area, but the mayor challenged him to think bigger by designing a hotel. The designer took up the challenge with flying colours.
Christian Louboutin thus joins the club of luxury fashion brands that are interested in hospitality as a new playground, such as Louis Vuitton, Dior or the fashion magazine ELLE. Hospitality is becoming a new Eldorado for brands looking for new markets to invest in, but also to innovate and surprise.
