Interview With Carla – Part One

Today and tomorrow I have one of the most amazing Louboutin collections I have ever seen in my life to share with you all – all courtesy of our lovely interview subject, Carla! Carla has one of the most jaw dropping collections of shoes I have ever seen and was kind enough to share some photos of her extensive closet with us today. To top it off, she’s gorgeous, thoughtful, and is a doctor to boot. Enjoy meeting the amazing Carla!

First things first – who are you? What do you do, and where do you live? 

Hi!  I’m Carla – a wife, a mom to two gorgeous dogs, and a doctor (radiologist).  We just moved to South Florida, but i was originally born in the Philippines, moved to NYC when I was 12, and spent last year in Northern California for my fellowship.  Obviously i’m a shopaholic specializing in Louboutins (LOL!), but other things I love to do are travel and scuba dive.

You have an amazing shoe collection. When did you start collecting shoes, and what was your first pair of “special shoes”? 

Thank you!  I’ve always been into shoes as far as I can remember (even as a little girl), but it wasn’t until 2008 that I started seriously collecting Louboutins.  I had always admired them from afar, but was afraid of the heel height.So funny because back then to me. 100 mm (4 inches) was high… now I rarely buy anything less than a 140 mm heel, and my highest heel height is now 160 mm (Daffodiles, they are surprisingly comfy!)My first very special pair would probably be my Purple Lizard Very Prive… and now I have 57 pairs of Louboutins.  I’m not counting my non-Louboutin flats and other heels, but I don’t have very many of those. As you can see from the family shot… what can i say about my collection?  It is definitely not basic!

Can you share a little more about how you buy and choose your shoes?

1. I buy what I love.
2. I have a thing for exotics.
3. I have a thing for colors.
4. I have very few “classic” basic shoes.
5. It’s about the quality, not the quantity… I may not have the most shoes, but I think each pair is pretty damn special (and rare!)

What are your favorite pairs of shoes?

This is tough because it’s like asking if you have a favorite child! Haha… I do have some very special pairs that I will mention:

1. Purple Lizard Very Prive. First exotic ever purchased… and I ADORE purple.  I still remember the anxiety and stress over getting this pair because there was a long waitlist and I wasn’t sure if they would call me, as I didn’t have a regular sales associate (SA) at the time.  But I got very lucky and was the first person to own them in the US.  And the price – that was a new limit for me, and it made me nauseous spending that much money on one item! (this threshold has since been broken, and raised, many times).

2. Samira Strass Aurora Borealis.  My wedding shoes, which my husband (then fiance) bought for me in secret, in conspiracy with my St. Honore SA at the time… AND he got her to bring the shoes to Msr. Louboutin to have them signed.  He then proposed to me with the engagement ring inside the shoes.  What dreams are made of!

3. Fire Opal strass Lady Claude. A Christmas gift from my dear husband (fiance at the time)… this one took me completely by surprise and I just love these shoes… they are my red ruby slippers.

4. Royal Blue Alligator Alta Dama. My first alligator skin, in one of my favorite colors. This shoe was a long-time dream for me.

The Daffodils paired with an Alexander McQueen clutch5. Meridian Blue Strass Daffodil. I just love everything about these shoes

5. Very Mix Potpourri Fire Opal. I am smitten.

What about your most worn pairs?

My most worn pairs are different from the above with the exception of my purple lizard VPs (VP is my go-to style for comfort and elegance). Some of my most frequently worn pairs, below.

1. Catenita Trashes (I have two). These are such fun fun shoes, and with the PVC covering and specchio heel/platform, quite weather resistant. I wear these in the rain, no problem.

2. Bronze Cosmo Ostrich Very Prive. The color is neutral and goes with almost everything, but the material/treatment is so unique and i love it.

3. Jaws. A classic.

4. Nude patent Very Prive with burgundy tip.

5. Very Croise in beige/gold/red.

I am always the girl who buys the simple black pump but looking at Carla’s photographs, I realize that I really should be going for the out of the world, unique shoes first – cause the boring black ones will always be there. A big thank you to Carla for sharing her beautiful items with us. Check back tomorrow for part two!