Why Christian Louboutin’s “Zoulou” Platforms Still Define Early-2010s Shoe Drama

Kelly Brook has long stood apart from the fashion industry’s traditional model mold.

At 5’6″ (167.6 cm) tall and reportedly wearing a US shoe size 8.5, the English model, actress, and television personality became known for embracing her natural proportions rather than chasing ever-changing beauty trends.

Over the years, Brook has spoken openly about body image, fit, and the challenge of finding clothes that complement her shape. Those conversations helped make her a relatable style figure, particularly for women looking beyond one-size-fits-all fashion advice.

Kelly Brook sparkles in a copper sequined midi dress with a leg-baring front slit, styled with metallic ankle-strap sandals that complement the warm bronze tones of her glamorous evening look at Global’s Make Some Noise Night 2022 in London on November 22, 2022 (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

A good example came in May 2013, when Brook arrived at Riverside Studios in London to film an episode of Celebrity Juice.

Kelly Brook smiles for photographers in a vibrant floral peplum dress, finishing the look with glittering chandelier earrings and layered bracelets that complement the outfit’s feminine charm on May 15, 2013, in London (Credit: WENN)

In a 2010 interview with the Daily Mail, Brook explained that she learned early on that not every trend worked for her body type. Rather than dressing to match whatever was popular at the moment, she found that emphasizing her waist created a more balanced silhouette, a styling approach visible throughout many of her public appearances.

That philosophy can be seen in looks ranging from fitted dresses to casual denim outfits. Whether wearing classic pumps or experimenting with more relaxed everyday styling, Brook consistently favored pieces that complemented her proportions rather than following trends for their own sake.

Kelly Brook steps out in a pastel-patterned peplum dress that highlights her waist, accessorizing the feminine look with crystal drop earrings and a quilted chain-strap bag (Credit: WENN)

Her pastel-patterned peplum dress, paired with Christian Louboutin’s towering “Zoulou” platform sandals from the designer’s Spring 2013 collection, showcased a styling formula she often returned to: defining the waist, elongating the silhouette, and letting statement shoes do part of the work.

The cage-like leather construction and sky-high silhouette added architectural edge to the otherwise feminine look, while the substantial platform balanced the dramatic heel and enhanced the dress’s leg-baring proportions.

Kelly kept her makeup natural and wore a few pieces of jewelry, including chandelier-style earrings and bangle bracelets.

Kelly Brook showcases Christian Louboutin’s towering “Zoulou” platform sandals with a floral peplum mini dress, creating a polished daytime look that balances feminine tailoring with the dramatic edge of the cage-inspired heels (Credit: WENN)

Kelly’s red pedicure mirrored both her manicure and the iconic red soles of her Louboutins, a signature detail that has defined styles ranging from the towering Lady Peep Spikes pumps she wore in London to the dramatic platform heels and red-bottom styles featured throughout her wardrobe over the years.

A close-up of Kelly Brook’s Christian Louboutin “Zoulou” sandals highlights the style’s signature cage-like leather straps, towering platform sole, and iconic red lacquered heels, hallmarks of the brand’s dramatic early-2010s evening footwear (Credit: WENN)

Her towering “Zoulou” sandals were part of the same Christian Louboutin platform wave embraced by celebrities like Kelly Rowland and Frankie Sandford in 2013, with the cage-like style released in black leather, nude leather, and a highly sought-after hand-painted python version.

The rare hand-painted python version of Christian Louboutin’s “Zoulou” sandal elevates the style’s signature cage-like silhouette with exotic leather, vibrant circular motifs, and a towering 160mm heel, making it one of the most sought-after collector editions from the Spring 2013 collection

Why Christian Louboutin Platforms Still Define Early-2010s Shoe Drama

Kelly Brook’s “Zoulou” sandals capture the height, structure, and red-sole drama that made Christian Louboutin platforms so dominant during the early 2010s.

From cage-like straps to towering front soles, these were shoes designed to be noticed—whether paired with a fitted mini dress, a red-carpet gown, or a bold celebrity street-style look.