Did you know that Christian Louboutin, footwear designer to the Stars, also makes men’s shoes–even as large as size 13?

Not until a very witty friend, Kent Russell ( garden designer, plantsman and owner of The Garden Guru),  stopped by to show off his first purchase from Mr. Louboutin did I have any idea. That was just about eight months ago; he’s now up to twenty-four pairs…and counting. So fascinated and beguiled with the designs was I (while wondering why Mr. L doesn’t make some of these styles for ladies…), I grabbed my camera and started pairing (excuse the pun) each creation with an appropriate plant or accessory in my summer garden.

How could I resist? Two of my favorite things in the world–gardens and shoes (even if they are men’s). We can get a little crazy over here at Parterre…

So, with all of you in mind, I specifically held off on posting this in season with the intention of sharing these  colors and design ideas to combat the winter blahs.  Though maybe a bit funky,  I bet you’ll never quite look at a pair of shoes–or gardens–the same way again. And that’s what inspiration is all about…starting with Kent’s tongue-in-cheek tagline, “The world of fashion, flowers and footwear combine to create the latest sensation sweeping the country.” And the poetic captions are also courtesy of our Garden Guru; there’s no limit to his  talents. Just in case you want to purchase a pair or two from Mr. L., the provocative name of each shoe is noted first, followed by the plant material.

Now to put a finer point on the matter afoot…

“Move over Monolo, make way Jimmy Choo, a Frenchman named Christian makes shoes for you too!”

“Splendor in the grass…the most elegant kind, a pair of Pythons you shall find.”
(Greggo Flat – Python paired with Molina grass and Echevarria ‘Rose’.)

“On stage,  is the only place you’ll be, while strutting around in these silver spikes…most likely on the Avenues of New York City!”
(Dandy Pik Pik paired with ‘Endless Summer’ hydrangeas.)

“From Burgundy to Alsace…I wear this pair with great panache.”
(Alpha Male Flat paired with coleus ‘Inky Fingers ‘.)

“Abandon ship…and head for dry land, on solid ground you shall find this well-dressed man.”
(Officer Flat paired with ‘Endless Summer’ hydrangeas.)

“I’ll be blue without you…waiting in the garden sporting this fancy shoe.”
(Olympio Flat)

“A passion for purple…these soles of mine, corduroy in the country will suit me just fine.”
(DaDa Flat paired with pelargonium ‘Roxanne.’)

“Madame Butterfly has met her match…strolling through the garden is this ultimate catch!”
(Chrisolido Flat Brilliant paired with lysimachia ‘Creeping Jenny’.)

“One if by land, two if by sea…glitz in the garden courtesy of Monsieur Loubie'”
(Dandelion Spikes Flat paired with sunflowers.)

Hope you’ve had as much fun reading this as Kent and I had writing it.