Wonderland teams up with Christian Louboutin to celebrate the launch of their SS19 luxury sneakers collection.
For decades now, the distinctive red flash of a sole has become synonymous with many things – namely next-level glamour, thanks to the world famous needle-point stilettos of Christian Louboutin.
But now, perceptions are about to be turned on their head, as the iconic French brand have put their signature stamp on a collection of luxury sneakers, complete with a distinctive juicy sole, obviously – launching for SS19.
To celebrate, we’ve teamed up with Louboutin, as well as Royal Ballet dancers Lauren Cuthbertson and Marcelino Sambé (who will star in upcoming productions of Romeo and Juliet and Don Quixote together), and who wear the dazzling new collection in our editorial.
We chatted to the dancers to find out more. Watch the video and read the interview below…
Lauren Cuthbertson is an English ballet dancer who is the Principal of The Royal Ballet, and who will star in the upcoming productions of Romeo and Juliet and Don Quixote.
When did you first realise that you wanted to be a dancer?
There wasn’t really a moment where I was like, “oh I want to be a dancer,” because I just never didn’t want to be.
So it’s always been there…
I love it! It’s become this huge form of expression for me that without it I would be stuck.
And how did you first get into it?
I was naughty when I was a kid and my mum heard of a strict ballet teacher who magically gave your child discipline and posture. I was a sort of a sporty and naughty tomboy when I was a kid, but I was taken to a class and they say I took to it like a duck takes to water.
How old were you at this point?
I was three. To me it just felt like the most natural thing in the whole world. I was hugely blessed that I found my thing at such an early age.
If you weren’t a dancer what would you do?
When I was younger I definitely would have said that I would like to have been a tennis player. But also I’ve always loved art and interiors and when I became less of a tomboy I got into style and fashion. So I feel like I would have gone into something creative in that way.
How would you describe your personal style?
It’s quite eclectic and it varies quite a bit. I’m one of those people that if I’m going to Paris I’ll probably dress slightly differently than if I’m going to LA. I definitely feel like how I dress reflects my mood and that’s why I always feel comfortable in what I’m wearing because it’s usually how I’m feeling. I’m a Gemini….
How about when you’re dressing up and going out?
I love to be really comfortable. I spend a lot of my time in trainers because of what I do and I’m very comfortable being dressed down. But I also love the way a high pair of heels makes me feel. I love long dresses too, and glamour, I love to play dress up.
What do you do in your downtime?
If I’m not asleep then I love dancing. I’ll be the last on the dancefloor. I don’t do it often but I love a release on the dancefloor and a couple of tequilas.
What are you listening to at the moment?
I like Leon Bridges, also Morrissey and Kings of Leon.
How did you first get involved with the Louboutin collaboration?
I met them a while ago actually and we had a really wonderful professional friendship forming for a while. I’ve got a sneaky feeling that they might have seen me on the dancefloor out-out.
What excited you most about getting asked to do this?
I have always loved their heels and shoes, and now I think it’s brilliant that they have these trainers launching.
What’s your favourite style of trainer?
Chunky and comfy.
Can you tell me about your upcoming productions of Romeo and Juliet and Don Quixote?
I realised how beautiful the people that I’m working with are, as people as well as artists. When you just all look at each other and don’t rise to the stress, then you can still stay in that really creative place. I’m just really proud of us as a creative team.
What’s the proudest moment of your career so far?
Probably performing Sylvia at the Mariinsky theatre in St Petersburg with no preparation. They were a dancer down and they basically called me and said can you come and do this performance. So I flew to Russia and now they’ve invited me back.
Marcelino Sambé is a Portuguese ballet dancer who is the First Soloist of The Royal Ballet, and who will star in the upcoming productions of Romeo and Juliet and Don Quixote.
What was the moment you knew you wanted to be a dancer?
When I started dancing it was actually almost like a safety net. The other boys that I knew thought it was kind of an odd choice, but I found my place when I was dancing and when I was with a group of girls. I started with African dance in this community centre in Lisbon. It felt so welcoming, like this is what I have to do, this is what makes me feel happy. Then obviously later I started doing ballet.
What do you love most about being a dancer?
For me, it’s about knowing that I can express and reach out to so many people that are watching, and make them feel some sort of emotion. And make them excited, make them sad, make them feel something. For me it’s all about communicating something. It’s about expressing my art, expressing what I really believe or feel.
What’s been the proudest moment of your career?
Doing the full-length ballet, because it’s such an achievement to hold the audience for 3 hours, and you’re the main character and you’re telling the story. Also playing Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, that’s been my big dream. I feel like that will probably be the biggest highlight.
What’s your motto?
Listen to your heart. I feel like every time I’m dancing I have to be really honest with what I’m feeling, because otherwise it just comes out plastic.
What would you do if you weren’t a dancer?
I think I’d be an actor. I would love to be on TV, learning scripts, developing a character. I’d love to really try that one day and that’s something that I’d look forward to doing maybe in the future.
Who were your heroes growing up?
Rudolf Nureyev, because he was so inspirational.
What did you love about him?
I liked the fact he was very charismatic. You could just tell when they came on stage, the aura was so strong.
What advice would you give to a dancer just starting out?
I feel like if your head and heart is not right, no matter now incredible the physical or technical, the audience won’t feel anything. From the beginning every teacher who helped me taught me that the most important thing is the connection. People come to the theatre to experience something, not just to be blown away by stuff but to really experience a human being leading them on the story and the journey.
Describe your style…
I like very colourful vintage items. I have a few Indian wedding jackets that I love wearing to parties. Then I love a chunky trainer because I’m not the tallest guy, so the chunk just gives me a platform and a bit of colour on my feet. I also love shiny things.
What do you do when you’re not dancing?
I love the countryside, it’s very special to me. Just seeing animals in the wild, or in a farm makes me very happy. Or if it’s in London, I love going to Shoreditch and Columbia Road Flower market and spend the day around there meeting friends for coffee.
What music are you listening to right now?
If I’m doing a role that requires quite a lot of emotional input I lean more towards Frank Ocean’s Blonde. If I’m doing something very physical I go to Tyler, The Creator – something like Flower Boy.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I have a very loud personality. I’m very outgoing, but I’m also very vulnerable.
How did you get involved in this Louboutin project?
Me and Lauren Cuthbertson have the most odd partnership, because we were together in a magazine, and I was just supposed to just be there as The Nutcracker just on the side. We’d never danced together. Then, we went to a Louboutin event and that’s how Louboutin just saw that we had good chemistry and we would be good together.
Which is your favourite shoe from the collection?
There are some with a white platform, in blues and blacks. And it has a hole in the middle of the shoe, it’s amazing.
What’s your top beauty tip?
Wake up in the morning and drink warm water with lemon! It helps my digestion, and makes your skin healthier. Also it’s important to hydrate first thing in the morning. Then I do some yoga and stretching.
Will you tell me about your upcoming project?
We have this choreographer called Juliano Nunez. He works at the Royal Ballet and he’s doing a duet for me and Lauren for the opening at the Linbury Theatre. I’m so excited.
