The first posthumous retrospective of painter Balthus in Japan will be held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (April 19th to June 22nd) and the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art (July 5th to September 7th). To coincide with the exhibition, shoe designer Christian Louboutin will be releasing a limited-edition of 20 pairs of sandals. Named after the Swiss town of Rossiniere where Balthus spent his final years, these sandals were created when Louboutin, a friend of the Balthus couple, was approached by Setsuko to see if she could recreate the slippers she had given Balthus. Available in three sizes (36, 37, and 38), the shoes are priced at ¥265,000. They will be available for purchase at the Balthus exhibition shops at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art during the exhibition period. Not available in Christian Louboutin boutiques.

When asked about his memories of Balthus, the Parisian painter who created a unique world of figurative painting, Louboutin said: "For me, Balthus was an immense aesthete. His was extraordinary, very rare, and above all, I miss him."