In case you have never heard before, Saint Laurent has an outlet north of London, a place called Bicester Village. It is only a one-hour train ride from London Marylebone train station for £30 (this price will be higher when you read this article). At Bicester Village outlet you will find many high-end brands like Saint Laurent. Unlike many other outlets, Saint Laurent is full of surprises.
The first surprise is the lower prices, that’s normal for an outlet. But the Saint Laurent outlet hinders some extremely unique pieces. The pieces you never noticed or missed or have never been to your local Saint Lauren store.
I don’t want to talk about what you can find at Saint Laurent Bicester Village store, I would like to leave you with photos of the amazing bags, shoes, heels and unique pieces. Believe me, visiting the Saint Laurent Bicester Village store is worth that ridiculous train ticket!
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Have you ever wondered why Arlettie is hailed as London’s best-kept secret? Perhaps you’re envisioning an exclusive members’ club in Mayfair or a hidden gem tucked away in Camden or Shoreditch. Contrary to expectations, it’s not about the conventional secretive locales; Arlettie stands out in a league of its own.
Acknowledging the boldness of this title for a blog post, I stumbled upon Arlettie thanks to a captivating TikTok video. Regrettably, I’m unable to disclose the specific brand featured in the video, but trust me, it’s mind-blowing.
Arlettie, a Parisian sample sale brand, distinguishes itself from others in its league. Unlike sales that peddle leftover items from department stores, Arlettie exclusively showcases merchandise directly from renowned brands. While there are some brands I can’t mention publicly, they do make appearances at Arlettie sample sales— a fact that left me in disbelief as I witnessed it firsthand.
To get a glimpse of ongoing sales, you can visit Arlettie’s website. However, unlocking the full potential of this secret requires opting for member or VIP levels. This exclusive access reveals brands that elevate the concept of a ‘sample sale’ to unprecedented heights.
So, what makes these sample sales so extraordinary and clandestine? The experience is nothing short of amazing! I urge you to be there at the earliest opportunity, prepared to have your expectations surpassed and your mind blown. Arlettie Sample Sales are a secret worth discovering!
Christian Louboutin Kate 85 vs. Sporty Kate 85 is perhaps the most frequently asked question among Louboutin buyers. Before delving into the comparison, it’s essential to note that Kate heels are based on the So Kate heels, originally designed for the iconic model Kate Moss in 2013.
The Christian Louboutin So Kate 120 heels stand out as one of the most iconic pointy-toe pumps, but their height, at 120mm, can be daunting for many. Consequently, So Kate heels are ideal for short periods of wear or may end up residing in a wardrobe for extended periods.
To address this, Christian Louboutin introduced the Kate 85 and Sporty Kate 85 as a solution. To ensure the accuracy of this comparison, I reached out to Miranda from Christian Louboutin Vancouver.
Both Kate 85 and Sporty Kate 85 feature 85mm heels. Despite its name, Sporty Kate isn’t akin to sports cars; rather, the term “Sporty” emphasises its comfort-focused design. Sporty Kate 85 incorporates softer materials reminiscent of sports shoes with black insoles, while Kate 85 employs more traditional materials. Notably, Sporty Kate 85 is adorned with a CL logo.
In my assessment, Sporty Kate 85 appears designed for daily office wear and general day-to-day activities, while Kate 85 serves as the backup option for those who adore the So Kate 120 but seek a more manageable heel height.
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One of the most remarkable collaborations in the world of fashion has been between Doctor Bored and Christian Louboutin. Thanks to Doctor Bored’s influence, Christian Louboutin revived the iconic 130mm heels collection, making it a coveted item for fashion enthusiasts. If you were fortunate enough to secure a pair from this collection, consider yourself truly lucky, as these heels are now being sold at astonishing prices on platforms like eBay.
Recently, I had the privilege of connecting with Doctor Bored through Instagram. Following our insightful conversation, I had the opportunity to request an interview, and he graciously agreed to share his insights for my blog. This interview provides a unique glimpse into the world of a collaborator of Christian Louboutin, shedding light on the creative process and the fascinating stories that unfolded behind the scenes.
Read on for the exclusive interview:
Can you explain how did you become a designer?
My journey as a footwear designer wasn’t all straight forward. Drawing has been my passion since I was able to hold a pen with my left hand. I later got hooked on the world of fashion in my teenage years with designers like John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. After High school, I studied garment design at Esmod in Lyon, and in Paris where I graduated. I then had a very hard time finding the right internship so I ended up working at a PR firm for about a year. In spite of a very interesting and challenging time in the fashion PR world, I started to feel restless. I missed creating. I eventually left my job and found an internship as a footwear designer for a French brand called Mellow Yellow. They kept me as designer for about five years. I since moved on to being a pin-up illustrator and free-lance footwear designer. That’s where I am today.
What does fetish mean to you?
Fetish is such a complicated word. In my mind it is an obsession. I don’t see it as necessarily sexual but it certainly takes over your mind in a very peculiar way. When I started working on my illustration project Doctor Bored, I decided to first focus on fetishism, mostly the heel fetish but also all the decorum it implies like corsets, stockings, opera gloves, leather, riding crops and so on. It helped me set the ton and create a whole world filled with glamourous creatures, my Boredettes that are a mix of Dita Von Teese, Jessica Rabbit and various other references like Betty Boop and Disney’s Snow White, basically beautiful ladies in high heels.
I’ve always had a « thing » for high heels. As a child I never understood why I prefered some heels more than others. I later understood that the height of the heel was this big reason. That’s how I started to look up to designers like Christian Louboutin or historical shoemaker Maison Ernest. They were some of the only luxury houses to make heels higher than 110-120mm.
Your collaboration with Christian Louboutin was a great success. How did this happen?
It’s kind of a digital age fairytale. I’ve always been an admirer of Louboutin’s collections. It was one of my wildest dreams to ever work for him. Back in 2020, during the pandemic I met YazBukey on Instagram (who later did a gorgeous collection in collaboration with Louboutin as well). She and I had a great phone call and vowed to meet in person when we would be free. After the first lockdown (actually the day before the second one here) she invited me over for tea. As I usually do I brought her one of my illustrations as a gift. One of her friends saw it on Instagram and it was Christian’s closest collaborator. He showed my work to Christian and they called me to set up a meeting. We started working together in January 2021 and the rest is shoe-story !
From your words, what do you think and feel about Louboutin’s 130mm collection? For some people including me, they are art pieces.
In my opinion, the Louboutin’s 130mm collection is one of the boldest moves they ever made, especially business wise. He launched a collection of heels so high that very few people can actually walk in them. Despite that, people bought them anyway and are still collecting them to this day. They may not be the commercial success that a So Kate is, but they are true objects of desire. I agree with you, they are art pieces but also they have this dangerous sex-appeal that any forbidden item exudes. It shows how attached Christian is to creating something of his own, in spite of trends, business and even wearability!
I personally have an obsession with the Merci Allen 130, In my opinion it is the most perfect pump ever created ! That’s why when we started working on our collection together, I immediately asked to use this last and heel. As they had not released a 130mm heel in years I was very surprised that they agreed on making the Pinupina 130, which sold out very quickly ! This design in particular is my pride and joy !
Lastly, can you tell about your latest work with Christian Louboutin and La Fayette Paris?
Christian’s collaborator Hugo called me one day with this project, he needed me to illustrate legs wearing silver So Kate pumps walking on a red carpet for a very special project. It didn’t take long, they had a very clear concept and things moved on quite quickly after that ! It’s a very special project to me because I moved to Paris exactly ten years ago and started working as a shoe salesman at the Galeries Lafayette in July 2013. Ten years later, there were giant illustrations of mine on this magnificent building, in the heart of Paris. When I saw them for the first time, it was a reel pinch me moment for me. I couldn’t be more grateful to Christian, Hugo and the team for this opportunity.
You can follow Doctor Bored on Instagram @doctorbored
YSL has done it again! The iconic French fashion house has introduced another cool and interesting product: a yoga ball. YSL is well-known for its range of intriguing items, exclusively sold at the Paris Rue Saint Honoré store and in LA, USA. These products typically feature everyday items with a stylish touch of YSL.
Honestly, I couldn’t resist and purchased several of them. The best part about these products is that they are available exclusively at those two stores and online!
Let’s talk about the yoga ball now. It’s a sleek black 70-cm yoga ball. While it may not be huge, it’s definitely cool to have. Besides, you can also use the yoga ball as a chair, and who wouldn’t want a YSL chair for just £50?
The one and only Christian Louboutin outlet in Bicester Village, England, is truly a hidden gem. Yes, believe it or not, there is a Christian Louboutin outlet, and I’ve had the pleasure of visiting several times. If you’re unfamiliar with Bicester Village, it’s located just north of London and a quick 46-minute journey by Chiltern Railways from Marylebone station.
I must admit, the concept of a Louboutin outlet may sound a bit unconventional, but trust me when I say it’s an experience you don’t want to miss. The shoes I discovered and purchased at this charming little store were absolutely amazing, and to top it off, the prices were nearly half of what you would find elsewhere!
Typically, the outlet receives seasonal colours or patterns, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the incredibly cool and unique options available. During my visits, I spotted many stunning So Kate and Hot Chick heels in a variety of eye-catching colours.
The shopping experience itself is nothing short of delightful. The staff is incredibly friendly and goes above and beyond to make your visit memorable. They even send you a list of shoes available at the store via WhatsApp before you arrive, adding a personal touch to your shopping adventure. What makes this store truly special is the unexpected treasures it holds. You’ll come across shoes that you may have missed or never even knew existed during the regular season. I’ve taken the liberty of sharing some snapshots of the fabulous shoes I encountered during my visits.
Now, I understand that some may raise concerns about the cost of traveling to Bicester Village, as train tickets from London amount to £31.60 for a relatively short journey. However, it’s important to consider the substantial savings you’ll enjoy when purchasing a pair of exquisite Christian Louboutin shoes. Additionally, becoming a Bicester Village member is completely free, and you may even have the chance to avail of additional discounts.
Please rest assured that this post is not sponsored in any way. It is purely my personal decision to share my remarkable experiences with you.
Bicester Village Christian Louboutin contact details
Christian Louboutin’s Hot Chick 130mm heels are no longer available to purchase from the stores. Despite this, there is still high demand for these heels, as evidenced by the traffic on my blog for articles about the Hot Chick 130mm.
I decided to research the possibility of ordering a pair of Christian Louboutin’s Hot Chick 130mm heels, even though they are no longer available in online stores. I discovered that it is possible to order these heels directly from Christian Louboutin. Miranda from @cl___miranda on Instagram, who works at Christian Louboutin, was kind enough to explain to me the process of ordering a pair of Hot Chick 130mm heels.
From Miranda;
Sure.. so to order to need to have. A previous spend with louboutin and the order process is lengthy. Takes up to. 4 weeks to find out if the style is still feasible and if they have the material and color etc then I get quotes a price and I have to take payment in full. The shoe goes into production and then we wait 4 months to be completed.
To sum up, it is possible to order a pair of Christian Louboutin Hot Chick 130mm heels, although they may be more expensive. According to Susanne, who works at Christian Louboutin, it is also possible to order other products that are no longer available for purchase.
If you are living outside of Canada and want to order a pair of custom Christian Louboutin heels, you can find the nearest boutique on their website.
After a long wait, Christian Louboutin has reintroduced 160 mm platform heels. This time, the heels are thinner and pay homage to Dolly Parton, Dolly Pump Alta 160 mm.
You now have the opportunity to buy both a pair of pumps and boots with 160 mm platform heels. You don’t need to worry about a winter night without a pair of 160 mm platform boots. Both summer and winter attire is resolved for you, thanks to the timeless and elegant design of Dolly heels.
Dolly Pump Alta and Booty Alta are designed by Maison Christian Louboutin. They are only available for a limited time. Despite all the unique details of these heels, they are not that expensive! For £875, you will be getting lots of glam and elegance.
In my previous post, I covered the £55 cotton tote bag on YSL’s website. It’s a unique piece from Yves Saint Laurent, and the perfect item to buy just before Emily in Paris season 3!
Today I found something more eccentric: a YSL vibrator necklace. It’s a wearable sex toy – if you wear this at a social event, no one will realize you’re wearing a sex toy.
The necklace sex toy is a great incognito product to hide your desire in front of people’s faces, and they won’t know anything about it.
Let’s get a bit technical: YSL didn’t manufacture the sex toy, it was made by the Crave Vesper brand. YSL branded it. For me, it’s still an incredible product. Given that YSL has sold condoms in the past, this is a great next-step product.
YSL is one of the most iconic French designers. It was founded in 1950 by Yves Saint Laurent and since that time, YSL has been an outstanding designer.
Unlike many other brands, YSL’s branding on their products is discreet which makes it a great brand for people who want to expo luxury without showing off.
Recently, I discovered a hidden part of the YSL website. This secret gem has tote bags under £100! I know this sounds crazy; you may ask, ‘how can a YSL bag be less than £100?’
It’s possible! I found one – The ‘Rive Droite’ collection on YSL’s website. It is hard to find it, but when you find it, you can have a YSL tote bag for £55!
Why do I blog about this? Because I bought it! The packaging was amazing, beyond your imagination, and the quality of the bag exceeded all my expectations.
Honestly, the YSL Rive Droite tote bag is worth the money!
