Christian Louboutin expanding Nude Collection to include seven skin tones

The term “nude” in fashion is mostly associated with a beige colour that best resembles a Caucasian skin tone. A “nude” high heel is the ultimate leg lengthening accessory.

But with nudes ranging only from pale to tan, the trend has been denied to many. In 2013 Christian Louboutin launched his Nude Collection with five shades going from fair to a warm dark brown, all with the trademark red sole.

On the Louboutin website the designer remarks that he revamped the classic concept of the beige “nude” shoe after a team member stated that beige is not the colour of their skin. To Louboutin “nude is not a colour, it’s a concept” and this is reflected in the Nude Collection.

Now the range is expanding with two new shades and two new shoe styles hitting stores in August.

The idea that the colour “nude” would mean “Caucasian” has been a topic of debate within and outside of the fashion world. Many people consider it racist to only label white skin tones as “nude.” Many women are unable to find shoes, underwear, or make-up to match their skin colour in the “nude” section. Louboutin was one of the first mainstream brands to change this.

After the Louboutin Nude Collection hit the market in 2013 it inspired other fashion houses, with the concept of “nude” spreading and slowly becoming an inclusive term. We can look forward to seeing this expand into make-up – Beauté Louboutin has got you covered with 10 shades of nude nail polish – but hopefully also in more practical things such as plasters and tights.

Louboutin is celebrating the new colours with the hashtag #NudesForAll, offering fans an opportunity to show off how they are styling their nudes and promote the importance of inclusive fashion.

Sally Wijers

For further information about the Nude Collection or to order visit here.