Sergio Rossi has teamed up with French painter Claude Viallat to design three sets of six pairs of boots, each of unique style and beauty.

The collection has been presented in Paris during an exclusive event at Bernard Ceysson Gallery in conjunction with Fiac, Parisian contemporary art fair.

French Luxury Shoemaker Christian Louboutin plans to open two stores in China next year, propelled by the rising incomes of Chinese shoppers.

The first-ever Beijing standalone store is slated to open in July 2011, followed by a Shanghai boutique in December 2011.

Louboutin said in a recent interview with Bloomberg that he may operate as many as five stores in China in the next three years.

Business-wise, it’s a smart move. China, the world’s second largest luxury goods market, is expected to become the biggest market in the next five years.

Nearly 8,000 customers across America weighed in on 23 designer shoes in the online Footwear News Sexy Shoes contest.

The winning pair, by French footwear designer Christian Louboutin, was revealed during a special event on October 14 at the upscale New York department store Saks Fifth Avenue.

Louboutin took the grand prize for his Swarovski crystal-embellished Maralena mesh peep-toe pumps ($2445).

UK-based department store chain Selfridges has unveiled the world’s biggest shoe department (35,000 sq ft) named Selfridges Shoe Galleries in London, designed by Canadian architect Jamie Fobert.

The Shoe Galleries houses more than 5,000 shoes from 120 brands, including 35 new labels and more than 30 exclusive styles designed just for the retailer.

The space includes 11 “apartment” boutiques for the department’s premiere labels – including, Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Chanel, Dior, Prada, and Gucci – which were each designed in accordance with the labels’ distinct looks.

Designer denim used to be the go-to strategy of luxury labels to lure in new customers, but now it seems as if trainers are the new jeans.

While brands like Dior, Hugo Boss, and LV have long been in the market of men’s designer trainers – with the latter’s collaboration with rapper Kanye West selling out in no time last year – women’s counterparts are just now gaining momentum.

Lanvin and Pierre Hardy launched successful ranges, Gucci inuagurated its Icon Temporary pop-up store in London last week to promote its new line of sneakers designed by hip music producer Mark Ronson.