New Delhi, July 3 -- Christian Louboutin has a thing for theatrical fashion showcases. For its spring/summer 2025 presentation, for instance, the luxury house had members of the French Olympic artistic swimming team perform in water while wearing its Miss Z pumps. The following season, ballet-inspired shoes made their debut on a football field. By comparison, the brand's latest show, staged in Paris on 24 June, felt almost restrained, though no less ambitious.

The occasion was the unveiling of the men's spring/summer 2027 collection, the sophomore outing from Jaden Smith, 27, who was appointed last year as the French house's first men's creative director, charged with shaping its footwear and leather accessories. Announcing the appointme...