When you say "tattoo" -- a word that, parenthetically, comes to us via French Polynesia -- you think body art. But that genius designer, Christian Louboutin, has opened a "shoe tattoo" parlor in his new, Meatpacking District men's footwear boutique, and the tattoo salon here ain't for your corps, but rather for your coeur -- that is to say, for your spirit, soul, and pleasure. Because the artisans doing the tattooing are embroiderers from that renowned French embroiderer-to-the-stars, the atelier of Jean-Francois Lesage. Now men can have a copy of a real tattoo stitched methodically and artistically on their shoes -- or they can design something whimsical, personal, or whatever, and have true, one-of-a-kind footwear.

The shoe store itself is a vision of unique architecture: The approximately 1,500-square-foot boutique encompasses an abandoned section of Gotham's landmarked High Line and there are architectural elements of the High Line visible. Six former skylights, salvaged from the celebrated Park Avenue Armory, have been retrofitted and are embellished with mirrors and hung as chandeliers. Parts of the floor are cobbled with leather handworked by Mexican artisans. Footwear ranges from the fashion-forward Gareth to the Louis sneaker to the Rollerboy loafer. -- Ruth J. Katz