Christian Louboutin thinks women find the pain from high heels "empowering".
The French footwear designer's best-selling shoe boasts a 12cm heel. Although Louboutin knows such a height hurts a lot of women, he believes the pain is worth it.
"There is an element of seduction in shoes that doesn't exist for men," he explained. "That's why women are happy to wear painful shoes. For some, a little discomfort is balanced by something else, which has to do with desire.
"You feel yourself, empower yourself, know yourself. You are aware of your body. This little act of discomfort pays off in lots of other ways."
The designer's shoes have been worn by most of the biggest names in the world. Ordinary women also love his creations, with one fan in California admitting she'd gone bankrupt due to her passion.
Louboutin doesn't hold with fashion world footwear, explaining there is no need to do anything other than a beautiful heel.
"I am at the service of women. I was brought up by women, so it has shaped my attitude. If you owe everything to women, why would you want to make disrespectful designs for them?" he told Style magazine.
The designer also took a moment to praise Victoria Beckham, renowned for her love of high shoes. Being a new mother hasn't put her off, and she's regularly seen holding three-month-old Harper Seven while in towering footwear.
"Her whole attitude is 'Here I am'," he enthused. "She doesn't look like a mouse ready to hide. She has a strong and active attitude. She is fronting things. She is an actor in her own life. It's why a lot of people love and respect her."