Louboutin sticks boot into YSL over 'copycat' soles

Two of the world's most famous fashion houses are at war over the colour red.

Shoe designer Christian Louboutin, whose towering heels have a distinctive red sole, is suing rival Yves Saint Laurent over the coat of scarlet paint applied to the bottom of its footwear.

Louboutin says he has been lacquering the underside of his shoes, some of which cost more than £1,000 a pair, since he founded his first boutique in Paris 20 years ago. He says the rival French fashion house has been caught stealing his idea - red-handed. Louboutin, who counts Sarah Jessica Parker, Scarlett Johansson and Renée Zellweger among his followers, has filed a suit against YSL in a New York City district court.

Legal papers allege that Yves Saint Laurent America, owned by the Gucci empire, this year started selling its version of the red-soled shoe in New York stores including Saks Fifth Avenue.

Louboutin claims the red soles are almost identical to his Red Sole Mark and are "causing confusion, mistake and deception" among shoppers. Louboutin claims he was inspired after painting red nail varnish on the black sole of a pair of women's shoes and realised it would enhance their sex appeal. His claim says: "The location of the bright colour on the outsole of a woman's pump is said to provide an alluring 'flash of red' when a woman walks down the street, or on the red carpet of a special event."

Louboutin claims he trademarked the design in America in 2008. He is seeking $1 million damages and a pledge to stop making the red-soled shoes from YSL, which declined to comment.