I Met Christian Louboutin...for the 3rd Time!

Christian Louboutin at his Beverly Hills boutique during an appearance on 4/28/10

On 4/28/10, I met Christian Louboutin for the 3rd time. I met him for the first time at the South Coast Plaza boutique in Feb. 2009, then for the 2nd time in Oct. 2009 at Neiman Marcus in McLean, Virginia (I had earned a free flight to anywhere within the continental US from Southwest Airlines, and it was the weekend right before my birthday, so I figured, why not?).

This time, I went with my friend IC. She was meeting him for the first time. We wanted to make sure we wouldn't wait hours in line, so we pre-purchased pairs before the event so that we'd be able to get into the "priority" line. I bought some red lizard Simple pumps...so pretty!

We waited about 1 1/2 hours, then it was our turn. She went first, and I took her picture. Then it was my turn. I told him that it was our 3rd time and that I met him in Virginia (in a town that was a suburb of Washington, DC). He then talked about how much he loved DC. I liked it there, too. He signed my red lizard Simple pump, then my leopard Tigresse wedge. Then my friend IC and I posed for a pic with him! As I gathered my things to leave, I caught his eye and waved goodbye, then he winked!

I was happy I got to meet him 3 times, but I was a little bummed that this time I didn't get to talk with him and get as close to him as I did during the DC signing (I actually sat in his chair with him, and we had a nice lengthy conversation-I was the first in line at that signing). It seemed a little rushed this time. I did see that it got crazy as I left, though, so I can understand why. So glad I went early! However, he's still a total gentleman, and I'll continue to support his brand, if for no other reason than he makes the most beautiful shoes.

my signed shoes representing each time I met Christian Louboutin

And yes, this is crazy, but I have 2 pairs of shoes that I don't wear and don't ever plan to wear. I have my left gray Declic signed from the 1st time I met him, then my right gray Declic signed from the 2nd time, then my left leopard Tigresse from the 3rd. My 4th will be signed when I meet him again! When I buy a nice big home, I'll build myself a "princess" closet and will have a glass display case just for those signed shoes.

I also have one of my red lizard Simples signed by him, but those shoes are too beautiful (and comfortable) to not wear!

RIP, Alexander McQueen

Ever since I became interested in high fashion, I've been fascinated by Alexander McQueen's designs. I always thought they were too outlandish for me, but nevertheless, I admired his talent. Of all the fashion houses that have 5-digit price tags attached to their pieces, I thought that the house of Alexander McQueen was one of the few that was actually able to justify those prices (Just look at the tailoring, construction, and uniqueness!). I would constantly tell myself that, someday, when I had more money, I'd buy myself some pieces by Alexander McQueen, possibly as a sign that I'd truly made it. A dream of mine was to own an evening gown designed by him.

When I read about the sad sad news of his death on Feb. 11 this year, I didn't even think of going out to buy his merchandise, like so many other people did. I was just thinking of how sad it was for the world to lose such a creative genius who didn't even get to celebrate his 41st birthday. Weeks later, I decided it was time to purchase an Alexander McQueen piece. Alas, an evening gown was not in the cards at the time, nor is it now. But something told me that I wouldn't be without a memento of this fashion genius for long.

Today, I was at Neiman Marcus (there I go again, shouting out to NM!) with my friend, IC. I had a $50 gift card that was sent to me in the mail last weekend, and I was planning on stocking up on skin care products with it, but decided on Hermes twillies instead (we had walked by some glass display cases of them, and I was inspired). We walked down to the accessories counter of the Beverly Hills store to check out the Hermes merchandise, but all they had were some of the larger scarves, cotton shawls, and twillies of only 2 designs. Then I saw it in one of the drawers: the infamous skull scarf! I'm not big on skulls, but the timing was too perfect! And the price wasn't too bad! I'd get to have a memento of Alexander McQueen's genius after all! We spent a few minutes debating on colors. I thought the black/white silk was classic and would match more clothing, but IC said she liked the blue more. Then the sales associate told us that the blue was the last in the store, possibly in the company. She added that, the day after Alexander McQueen died, people were crazily snapping up the scarves. I also looked at the gray/black and navy/orange, but they were made of cotton and cost the same as the silk. So after a couple more minutes, I decided on the blue/white silk.

This scarf is iconic Alexander McQueen, as pointed out by IC. She's totally right, even http://www.wikipedia.com/ mentions it in his biography!

RIP, Mr. McQueen. I'll never forget you and my dream of owning one of your gowns someday, and I'll continue to work hard so that it'll definitely happen =)