Tutu high? Louboutin ballet shoes with 8in heels
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They are the highest of high fashion - ballet shoes with eight-inch heels by Christian Louboutin.
And next week the footwear - featuring the brand's distinctive red soles - will be put up for public auction. The sale aims to ease cash problems at one of the world's leading dance companies, the English National Ballet.
Louboutin said: "Isn't the classical dancing ballet slipper the ultimate heel? The heel which makes dancers closer than any other women to the sky, closer to heaven." The sale also features dazzling costumes by designers such as Erdem, Giles Deacon, Julien Macdonald, Bruce Oldfield, Beatrix Ong and Moschino.
Macdonald said: "It was amazing to create a costume that's not only beautiful but for a good cause. I love ballet for its combination of discipline, spectacular sets and costumes. It's a beautiful art form that needs support."
Online bids will be taken until Monday lunchtime. The biggest offers go into a live auction on Wednesday, at a star-studded fundraiser for 300 people at The Orangery in Kensington Palace.
Guests are expected to include Erin O'Connor and Rosamund Pike.
The ENB aims to raise more than £50,000. Its Arts Council grant has been slashed by 15 per cent until 2015 - about £2 million. Without fundraising it would have to curb performances and touring.
It hopes the auction will become an annual event. ENB development director Sally Muckley said: "We wanted to do something to raise our profile." For more information visit ballet.org.uk
