For more than 15 years, women around the world have been sacrificing their paychecks (and their arches) to slip on Christian Louboutin’s signature red-soled stilettos. The Parisian designer, who broke into fashion working for Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Roger Vivier in the 1980s, includes Madonna and the Olsen twins among his celebrity devotees. (A pregnant Christina Aguilera appeared in Marie Claire wearing nothing but a pair of Louboutin heels and a smile). On Thursday 13, the Museum at FIT unveils “Sole Desire: The Shoes of Christian Louboutin,” spotlighting 32 pairs of his dazzling creations. TONY chatted with the 45-year-old shoemaker about his career, selling out and whose feet he’s dying to elevate next.

Aren’t you a bit young for a retrospective?
Yes, but it is not a retrospective—too much is missing! However, it is a nice illustration of 15 years of work, which is why I am honored.

When did you first develop an interest in shoes?
When I was 11, I saw a sign outside a museum. It was a pair of heels with a red line through it, like a no-smoking sign. It was so unusual! Shoes with heels are forbidden—why?!?

But you actually started out as a landscape designer. Why switch gears?
It wasn’t exciting enough—there was no one I had to work for! Both gardening and shoe design need structure in their approach, and they are both about color.

Sex and the City catapulted Manolo Blahnik into the fashion stratosphere. Would you ever want that kind of product endorsement?
I actually don’t own a TV. I would certainly never do a deal with a television show. It’s not my thing.

Still, you have plenty of A-list fans. Who are the celebrities you’d most like to design shoes for?
The two great artists Prince and Mika. And I wouldn’t mind doing some shoes for Michael Jackson.

We have to ask: What’s up with the red soles?
Red is the color of passion, and also of lips and hearts. It makes the most beautiful association with the color black. Some women who don’t like color and only wear black will wear a little red.

“Sole Desire: The Shoes of Christian Louboutin” is on view at the Museum at FIT through Apr 19.