The Developer of Topnotch Shoes

Charles Jourdan was among past Philippine First lady Imelda Marco's beloved shoe brands. In fact, many of her collection were Jourdan stilettos; and her undue shoe collection gained Charles Jourdan inadvertent exposure.

Born on 1883, Charles Jourdan was a French fashion stylists who was universally known for his design of ladies' shoes that started in 1919. Jourdan was instructed a shoemaker, and commenced his own shop in Romans, part of the Drome section of France, after WWI. His business grew, and in just two years he moved his company to Boulevard Voltaire and had his own factory of 30 employees. He was the first ever shoe stylists to advertise in fashion magazines, thus making the name Charles Jourdan an exclusive customized house for shoes.

In 1947, Jourdan was joined by his three lads; and in 1950, they started selling their shoes outside France. They also got the thumbs up to design and manufacture designer shoes under the brand Christian Dior, and after a few years under Pierre Cardin. Their designs were known for beauty and novelty. Charles died in 1976 but his sons prolonged their company. The firm had its own ups and downs and even filed for liquidation in 2002. Josephus Thimister is now the leader stylists of Charles Jourdan.