Christian Louboutin is the definition of a man who needs no introduction. Here, we talk collections, legacy and his partnership with Neiman Marcus with the French accessories king.

What are you most excited about right now? I’m going to have an exhibition around my work in Paris [on display at the Palais de la Porte Dorée Feb. 25 to July 26], which is my hometown. So, that’s actually the most exciting thing for me, apart from keeping on designing collection after collection. This year is going to be special because there’s this exhibition, which is going to be for six months in Paris.

That’s so wonderful. How did that influence your designs for the new season? Working on the exhibition has me looking at some of my work in my archives. I always am designing and not thinking of the past, but it’s fine that way. [For spring 2020], there are all these new heels, which I’ve been working on for some time, but now they’re ready. [The collection is] called Levitation. It’s a heel that looks unattached to the shoe, so that part of the collection, I would say, is about creating an illusion. So it looks like you’re actually not walking on your heel because of the transparency. That’s been the thing from resort I’m quite attached to.

What does it mean to you when someone purchases a pair of shoes, a bag or beauty from you? I like the fact that when I’m designing something, it goes to someone who appropriates it. I’m quite interested to see what people are mixing with what I’m doing. I like mixing in general. That’s dear to me. I like to be surprised by how people put themselves together. And, sometimes, it’s really unexpected. I’ve never tried to create a uniform.

We’re here at Neiman Marcus—why is that partnership so special to you? ... The first time I ever did an appearance was with Neiman Marcus. Again, it is as if I’m almost looking back at my archives bringing back memories. Neiman Marcus is part of my work family in a way. In the Galleria