By the Avantelle Authentication Team · Last updated 27 July 2026
The Christian Louboutin Bianca is a 140mm platform pump with a hidden ~40mm platform that reduces the effective pitch to roughly 100mm, the same steepness as a non-platform Kate 100. You get the dramatic height without the extreme forward pressure. The Bianca runs roughly half a size small; we'd size up. Current Louboutin platforms like the New Very Privé 120 retail from £645 at boutique; our authenticated pre-owned pairs start from £79.99.
The Bianca doesn't look radical on paper. A 140mm stiletto, patent leather, a rounded toe, the red sole. But put one on and you feel why it built such a following: the hidden platform absorbs what would otherwise be an extreme pitch, and the result is a shoe that looks like a statement but wears closer to a sensible 100mm pump. If you've been eyeing one on the pre-owned market, or you're trying to work out what makes platforms different from flat-soled stilettos, here's what we know from the pairs that come through us.
What Makes the Bianca Different From Other Louboutin Styles?
The defining feature is a concealed platform beneath the ball of the foot. The total height measures 140mm, but roughly 40mm of that is platform, which means your foot is pitched at approximately 100mm rather than the full 140. For context, the So Kate 120 has no platform at all, so every millimetre of its 120mm is effective pitch. The Bianca is taller but gentler on the foot.
The silhouette is a closed-toe pump with a slightly rounded toe box, more forgiving than the narrow pointed toe on the So Kate or Pigalle. That broader shape makes it a better fit for wider feet or for anyone who finds those pointed-toe models too punishing across the toes. Patent leather is the classic Bianca finish; nude and black patent remain among the most collected colourways on the pre-owned market.
How Does the Platform Affect Comfort and Fit?
The platform reduces the effective height: the actual angle between your heel and the ball of your foot. The Bianca's ~40mm platform drops that angle from 140mm to roughly 100mm. In practice, this means noticeably less forward pressure on the metatarsals, and collectors consistently describe the Bianca as more forgiving for extended wear than flat-soled stilettos of similar visual height.
There's a trade-off, though. The platform adds weight and bulk underfoot, and you lose some of the ground feel that a slim sole gives you. Walking on uneven surfaces takes more care. And the height itself, even with the gentler pitch, means your ankles are working harder to stabilise. For a deeper look at how comfort compares across Louboutin models, we've covered the honest picture.
We'd steer you to the Bianca if you want statement height for events where you'll be mostly standing or seated. For a full evening on your feet, a lower option like the Kate 85 is the more practical call.
Bianca vs Very Privé vs Lady Peep: Which Platform Suits You?
The house's three best-known platform styles each balance height and wearability differently. All three use a platform to keep the effective pitch well below the total measurement, but the toe shape, visual impact, and practical comfort vary.
| Model | Total Height | Platform (approx.) | Effective Pitch | Toe Shape | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bianca 140 | 140mm | ~40mm | ~100mm | Closed, rounded | Maximum closed-toe height, wider fit |
| New Very Privé 120 | 120mm | ~10mm | ~110mm | Peep-toe | Moderate height, classic peep |
| Lady Peep 150 | 150mm | ~50mm | ~100mm | Open peep-toe | Maximum height, dramatic silhouette |
| So Kate 120 (no platform) | 120mm | None | 120mm | Pointed, narrow | Sleek line, confident walkers |
The telling comparison is the bottom row. Despite being 20mm shorter than the Bianca, the So Kate's 120mm is all effective pitch with no platform cushion. It actually asks more of your foot than the Bianca does. That surprises most first-time platform buyers.
The Bianca suits collectors who want a closed toe and the tallest feasible height without going peep-toe. The Very Privé (now the "New Very Privé") is more refined, with a subtler platform and the signature peep-toe opening. The Lady Peep is the boldest of the three: 150mm of total height, unmissable, and noticeably heavy underfoot. All three are widely available pre-owned, particularly in patent leather.
Does the Bianca Run True to Size?
In the pairs we handle, the Bianca tends to run roughly half a size small. The rounded toe box is more generous than the So Kate's pointed toe, but the platform and the height push the foot forward, which effectively shortens the usable space inside the shoe. We'd recommend going up half a size from your usual Louboutin size, or a full size up from your standard UK high-street size if you're new to the house.
Width is less of a concern than with pointed-toe models. The rounded toe gives a broader fit across the metatarsals, which is one reason the Bianca works well for collectors who find those pointed-toe styles too narrow. For a full breakdown across every major style, our sizing guide covers the lot.
Spotting a Genuine Bianca on the Pre-Owned Market
The Bianca was among Louboutin's best-selling platform styles during its production run, which means there are plenty of genuine pairs on the secondary market but also a fair number of counterfeits. It was heavily copied at the peak of its popularity, particularly in patent nude and black.
Key tells to look for: the red lacquered sole should be smooth and evenly applied, the stamping on the insole should be clean with consistent letter depth, and the "MADE IN ITALY" text should sit centred and sharply pressed. The profile on a genuine Bianca is slim and dead straight, even with the platform. Our authentication guide walks through every checkpoint. If you're shopping on Vinted, we'd also recommend reading our Vinted buying guide before committing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are Louboutin platform heels comfortable?
More comfortable than their total height suggests. The platform reduces the effective pitch, so a Bianca 140 puts roughly the same angle on your foot as a non-platform 100mm pump. Extended wear still requires practice, but the platform meaningfully reduces forward pressure compared to a flat-soled stiletto of similar visual height.
Does Christian Louboutin still make the Bianca?
The original Bianca has been discontinued from the mainline collection. The closest current-production platform pump is the New Very Privé 120, which retails from £645. Pre-owned pairs remain a reliable route to a Bianca.
What is the difference between the Bianca and the Lady Peep?
The Bianca is a closed-toe pump (140mm, ~40mm platform) while the Lady Peep is a peep-toe (150mm, ~50mm platform). Both achieve roughly the same ~100mm effective pitch, but the Lady Peep is taller, more dramatic, and shows the toes. The Bianca offers a more versatile closed-toe silhouette.
How tall is 140mm in inches?
140mm is approximately 5.5 inches. With the Bianca's ~40mm (roughly 1.6-inch) platform, the effective height your foot experiences is closer to 100mm, or about 4 inches.
Do Louboutin shoes run small?
Most Louboutin styles run roughly half a size small. The Bianca is no exception. Pointed-toe models like the So Kate run narrower still. Our sizing guide covers every major style in the range.
If the Bianca is on your radar for the height, the hidden comfort advantage, or simply the way it looks, it's a model worth knowing well. The platform is among the best-executed in the Louboutin range, and pre-owned pairs remain one of the more accessible routes into what a properly engineered platform can do. Browse our full Christian Louboutin collection for authenticated pairs at every height, or start with our beginner's guide if you're new to the house.
