Carpet slippers, the latest 'luxe' of French fashionistas

November 07, 2007

Carpet slippers may seem a fuddy-duddy accessory for an evening at home, but French makers of the footwear are trying to give them a more stylish feel. The felt-soled and quilted Charentaise has been around since the time of King Louis XIV, though nowadays it is to be found less in royal wardrobes than cheap and cheerful stores stocked with Chinese-made models. To combat the trend, maker Rodinaud has put a creative spin on the footwear, making some out of cashmere or fake mink, and giving them a redesign. It staged a runway show at the Eiffel Tower in Paris to highlight its revamped slipper as a luxury accoutrement.