What led Christian Louboutin to open a shop at Brentwood Country Mart? The cheese
French footwear maestro Christian Louboutin swooped into Los Angeles on Thursday to host a dinner in celebration of his new boutique at Brentwood Country Mart.
Reese Witherspoon, models Alessandra Ambrosio (dressed in a scandalously chic Anthony Vaccarello diagonal hem skirt), Karolina Kurkova and Molly Sims came out to toast Louboutin at a dinner at Farmshop.
The family-style feast was hosted by James Rosenfield (real estate developer and Country Mart proprietor) and wife Heather Rosenfield, co-owner of the kids store Poppy that’s there.
“We met about a year ago, and I told him how much I love the Country Mart,†James Rosenfield said of the shoe designer. “I could see in his eyes that he got it.â€
“What we have in common is passion,†Louboutin countered. “I didn’t know this place, but I saw his passion. And I have to add, there was some cheese.â€
It turns out that Louboutin not only knows his shoes, he knows his cheese.
Exactly which of Farmshop’s extensive artisanal offerings swayed the designer? When asked that question after dinner, he escorted us to the case and deftly plucked a puck of super-soft Alemar Bent River cheese and held it aloft.
“This one — it’s delicious,†he said. Then, leaning in, he pointed to a round of Harbison from Jasper Hill Farm, making a gesture with his hand like he was spooning soup from a bowl. “And that one, it’s a reblochon.â€
Also at the fete: Ambrosio’s husband, Jamie Mazur, who has a fashion business of his own called Re/Done, selling recut vintage Levi’s denim; interior designer Peter Dunham; L.A. designer Jenni Kayne, whose collaboration with Pottery Barn Kids hit stores this week; and Stardust Visions President Victoria Brynner.
“Christian is the best,†Brynner (daughter of the late actor Yul Brynner) said of her pal of 20 years. “I helped him find the location for his very first store on Burton Way next to Lily and Cie.â€
Brynner and Louboutin’s relationship runs deep; the designer is godfather to her 11-year-old son. Imagine having Christian Louboutin as a godfather? Tasty shoes — and cheese — for life.
The two-story, 1,530-square-foot space will showcase men’s and women’s shoes, handbags and small leather goods, as well as the newly launched Christian Louboutin Beauté collection.
Christian Louboutin at Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St., Santa Monica; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
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