Christian Louboutin sees red over stiletto shoes

Would a red-soled stiletto by any other name than Christian Louboutin look as sweet?

Certainly not for the luxury French shoe designer, who passionately defended his court battle to protect his famous glossy red-soled shoes on Monday.

Louboutin was in London to open a museum exhibition marking his brand's 20th anniversary, talking to reporters about his inspirations and his rise to global success. But he also hit out at fellow French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent and its parent company PPR, whom he is suing for trademark infringement in a US federal appeals court. A panel of judges has yet to issue a decision.

"What PPR does via Yves Saint Laurent is breaking my trademark, which I find incredibly offensive," Louboutin said.

The 49-year-old designer argued that his rivals are wrong to accuse him of trying to monopolise the colour red.

"I do not own a colour. I own a specific colour in a specific place," he said of his distinctive soles.

A lower US court had rejected a request by Louboutin to stop the sale of YSL shoes that are red all over, including the soles.