Louboutin loses case to stop Zara selling red soles

The distinctive red sole is iconic to the Louboutin brand but we could start to see replicas in high street stores

If you can't stretch to a pair of Louboutin heels, you can cheat with a high street replica as fashion chain Zara wins a court case against the designer to sell red-soled shoes.

In a court case that has spanned four years, Christian Louboutin has tried to sue the Spanish retail brand claiming it's £40 open-toed red-soled shoe was too similar to the famous Yo Yo style.

But a French court ruled the high street shoes could not be confused with that made by the high-end designer and last week, the final court of appeal upheld the decision.

It also ruled that Louboutin, whose shoes are religiously worn by celebrities including Victoria Beckham and Sarah Jessica Parker and cost hundreds of pounds a pair, must pay the chain £2,000 in compensation.

But group chief operating officer and general manager of Christian Louboutin says the brand will continue to defend its soles.

'I'm not saying that red usually belongs to me,' says Louboutin himself. 'This is about a precise red, used in a precise location.'

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN: MY SHOE RULES

The company continues to pursue a law suit against Yves Saint Laurent for copying the iconic red sole in the 2011 resort collection. The verdict is yet to be decided.

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