Is Zendaya Really the Inspiration Behind Christian Louboutin’s New Miss Z Heels?
This month, Christian Louboutin officially added the “Miss Z” to its selection of coveted styles. Known for its red lacquered soles which often support sexy high heel silhouettes, the company is a go-to for not only celebrities but many discerning heel aficionados. But now, alongside designs like the Hot Chick, Iriza and the So Kate, Louboutin has made its newest “Miss Z” available for purchase causing many to speculate whether or not the shoe was inspired by a massive celebrity fan—Zendaya.
The “Miss Z” was first previewed at the Christian Louboutin spring 2025 presentation in Paris in September. Since then, the media as well as influencers online have pointed to Zendaya, who is known as a diehard fan of the So Kate, as its muse. On TikTok and Instagram, Jules Blum, a Louboutin employee that has dubbed himself “The Louboutin Guy,” said “with inspiration coming from one of our longterm wearers, Zendaya, the new Miss Z is flirty, fabulous and absolutely a statement.” But when asked to confirm, the brand gave a differing response.
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“The Miss Z collection was designed and developed with Gen Z in mind as the Maison’s latest pump design, following our Pigalle and So Kate styles,” a representative told FN over email.
Louboutin’s first iconic pump, the Pigalle, was released in 2004, named after a neighborhood in Paris. It became a favorite of many celebrities with Kate Moss amongst them. She once wrote: “My wardrobe is brimming with Louboutins — the classic black Pigalle stiletto in patent or matte black leather is my go-to shoe.” The collection was so impressive that in 2012, Louboutin updated the Pigalle and debuted the Kate in her honor. A year later came the 120mm So Kate, and in 2022 the company introduced the Sporty Kate.
“The Miss Z collection was designed and developed with Gen Z in mind as the Maison’s latest pump design, following our Pigalle and So Kate styles.”
Amongst the So Kate’s legion of fans has been Zendaya. The actress has worn the shoe since she was 14 and in 2024 made headlines for her infatuation. “There’s nothing like a pointy-toe pump. The So Kate — I’ve got it in every color, especially my white ones I wear them with everything,” she once said in an interview for Harper’s Bazaar. The association caused many to speculate that the introduction of the “Miss Z,” an updated version of the So Kate, was a repeating of history.
“The Pigalle, one of Christian Louboutin’s earliest designs, captured the essence of its era,” the company said in a release. “As trends and tastes shifted, he introduced the iconic Kate, a shoe that represented the evolving zeitgeist. Now, in response to yet another cultural and stylistic shift, the designer presents the Miss Z, a design that encapsulates the sensibilities of today’s generation.”
While Zendaya may not be named as the official inspiration, people in her age group were the motivation behind the new design. Younger Louboutin fans have taken to TikTok and social media to open up about the discomfort of wearing a heel like the So Kate, so the French luxury label listened and upgraded aspects of the shoe to satisfy those fans.
The new silhouette now features a slightly elongated toe and a heel design that creates the illusion of being higher than it actually is, while being easier on the feet with a padded insole. “The shoe is constructed with an understated emphasis on comfort, while retaining the form and elegance so associated with Christian Louboutin,” the label shared in an official release about the shoe. “Particular attention has been paid to the front of the shoe, where somewhat expanded volume is combined with the skillful insertion of a padded insole, which sums up the Miss Z attitude with modern simplicity.”
On the exterior, the brand also promises more features that will make the heel more practical, even introducing a new coated finish to the bottom of the shoe that is injected with thermoplastic polyurethane that provides more elasticity, durability, and an anti-slip grip.
The “Miss Z” was made available for purchase in three heel heights ranging from 60 mm to 100mm earlier this month. There’s also an 80mm mule version of the silhouette.
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