As a runaway teen in Paris, Christian Louboutin became fascinated with women’s shoes after visiting a museum of African art. There he saw a sign forbidding women from wearing stilettos into a particular building, which he later said inspired him. “I wanted to defy that,” he said. “I wanted to create something that broke the rules and made women feel confident and empowered.” When he returned to Paris after spending time in Egypt and India, he became an apprentice to the shoemaker who claimed to have invented the stiletto, and in 1991, at the age of 29, he opened his first shoe store.

Thirty years later, business is booming. The company Christian Louboutin now operates 150 boutiques across 30 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. The shops sell high-end women’s and men’s shoes, as well as bags and other accessories.

The company’s primary shipment flows are completed by its master distribution entity, CL International, which follows a specific process. But merchandise is also frequently transferred from one store to another. “A client might enter a boutique in Madrid, for example, wanting a specific model of shoe, but the shoe might not be available in her size in that particular boutique,” explains Annabella Lopes, senior treasury manager for credit risk and netting. “So the boutique in Madrid might request that the boutique in Paris transfer the product in the size the client needs. Those types of transfers happen very often.”

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to Treasury & Risk, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited Treasury & Risk content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical Treasury & Risk information including in-depth analysis of treasury and finance best practices, case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts and videos, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account?


NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2023 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Meg Waters

Meg Waters is the editor in chief of Treasury & Risk. She is the former editor in chief of BPM Magazine and the former managing editor of Business Finance.

More from this author

 

Treasury & Risk

Join Treasury & Risk

Don’t miss crucial treasury and finance news along with in-depth analysis and insights you need to make informed treasury decisions. Join Treasury & Risk now!

  • Free unlimited access to Treasury & Risk including case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM publications including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join Treasury & Risk

Copyright © 2023 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.