During two decades in fashion, Parisian footwear designer Christian Louboutin’s sky-high stilettos have earned him the love and closet space of countless women.

He trademarked his red sole in 1994 (which is currently under dispute in federal court), but his designs appeal as much for their graceful, balletic shapes as that flash of scarlet. His new coffee-table book, “Christian Louboutin” ($150; Rizzoli), chronicles his life and the stories behind his prettiest styles.

Q. Why did you decide to do this book?

A. Well, it was because of the editor. He’s a French writer, and he wanted me to speak about my shoes. We had a dialogue about more than fashion. It became this book.

Q. Are you excited that your shoes will be in a museum exhibit (at London’s Design Museum, opening in March)?

A. I never thought my shoes would become art, but it’s flattering to imagine you are participating in fashion history. I was throwing everything out, and so many people said, “One day, you may want to see these photos, the designs.” Now, I’m happy to have kept some things.

Q. What’s it like to have invented one of fashion’s icons, the red sole?

A. If you follow your heart, things like this just happen. I never thought, I need to do something major, it just happened. It was surprising from day one, in 1994, when it became my signature. Since then, people don’t know my name, but they say, “You’re the man with the red sole!”

Q. Have shoes changed in the past few decades?

A. If you look at the history of shoes, the type of height we see now once existed only in fantasies. But a bigger perspective is one of geography. I have stores on five continents, and the social behavior is related to where you live. In Los Angeles, the shoes are higher because people are not walking, like in, say, New York.

Q. What is the proudest moment of your career?

A. I did the shoes for the last couture show of Yves Saint Laurent. He resigned from designing after.

Q. Which icons would you like to see in your shoes?

A. Marlene Dietrich from the front and Marilyn Monroe from the back. My shoes have two elements. Dietrich’s elegance, the way she crossed her legs, was perfect. And Marilyn Monroe had this whole way of walking and moving which was exceptional.

I could definitely see Madame Obama wearing my shoes. I would be happy and proud and would have a big cheer!

Q. And what do you think your high heels do for women?

A. I have always been close to dancers, particularly dancers en pointe. A higher heel, like the women en pointe, puts them closer to the sky. There is nothing more beautiful.