Sales of red gloss paint have 'rocketed' 40% at Homebase as women find the cheapest way to get the Louboutin look is to do it yourself.
Wannabe Victoria Beckhams are buying red tester paint pots and painting the soles of their shoes to recreate iconic Louboutin heels on a budget.
Sales of red gloss colours such as Duracoat's 'Flame' and 'Show Stopper' have soared by 40 per cent due to women copying the Louboutin shoes worn by their style icons.
Christian Louboutin famously came up with the idea of giving all his designs a distinctive red sole in 1992 after painting an assistant's nail polish onto the bottom of a pair of shoes, because he felt the shoes "lacked energy". A legend was born, and in no time, flashing a red sole became a badge of honour for the fashion pack and Hollywood stars alike.
Claire Stevenson, 24, a PA from Croydon, wanted her dream pair of Louboutins to wear to her cousin's wedding and confessed to using the DIY trick.
She said: "There was no way I could afford to buy a pair of Louboutin heels, but I had my heart set on them and felt the pressure to be fashionable at the occasion.
"I bought a £20 pair of plain black shoes and a tester pot and recreated the designer look at home. I carefully painted the soles, let them dry overnight, and by the next day they were ready to wear.
'I received so many compliments at the wedding about my gorgeous shoes but I didn't have the heart to confess they were DIY fakes. It was such a success I plan on doing the same for another pair of heels."
Sad, it is… If you cannot afford it, simply don’t buy it. You can always find your style or even come up with your own. Just don’t ruin legacies!
