In one of the more unlikely scenarios to be experienced by the DIY market, droves of fashionistas are heading to Homebase and clearing the shelves of red paint tester pots.


In fact, reports the retailer, sales of its Home of Colour mini pots in Flame and Show Stopper shades have rocketed by 40% year-on-year this week as customers look to recreate their own Louboutins at a snip of the price of the iconic scarlet-soled designer shoes.

While many trendsetters such as Victoria Beckham, Coleen Rooney and Abbey Clancy have been stepping out in their favoured shoe, the £600 price tag is prompting others to try their hand at a bit of DIY fashion.

And it seems that a pair of cheaper shoes, some paint and a brush are working the magic at many social events this summer.

Peter Rooney, store manager at Homebase's London Acton branch comments: "While many people tend to look at magazines to get the right paint colour for walls, we've recently noticed a significant number of girls in the store colour-matching the tester pots to pictures of designer shoes in fashion magazines and requesting tips on how to paint on leather or rubber."

Homebase is even providing advice for achieving the Louboutin look at home. "Clearly paint is meant for decorating walls rather than shoes," says senior paint buyer Richard Johnson, "so we're amazed at this new trend that's hit our stores.

"The Home of Colour tester pots would have enough paint to cover the sole of an average-sized shoe, but we would advise people to ensure they do apply it properly - and it can achieve a really good visual effect."

His tips for creating the perfect DIY Louboutin lookalikes are: paint sole with a multi-purpose primer; cover with gloss Flame or Show Stopper for the best colour match; seal; use a thin, small brush to keep the painting neat; and protect the rest of the shoe whilst painting.

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