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Jimmy Choo'€™s Shoemaking World & Beyond

Since his emergence almost 30 years ago, renowned shoe designer Jimmy Choo has taken the world of fashion by storm

Novia D. Rulistia (The Jakarta Post)
Kuala Lumpur
Sat, November 1, 2014

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Jimmy Choo'€™s Shoemaking World & Beyond

Since his emergence almost 30 years ago, renowned shoe designer Jimmy Choo has taken the world of fashion by storm.

His exquisite handmade shoes have been worn by some of the world'€™s most famous names '€” from Lady Diana to actresses Julia Roberts, Halle Berry and Hillary Swank '€” placing Choo as one of the world'€™s best designers.

With his experience in the business, he believes now is the right time for him to give back to society with everything he has.

First, he is giving back to his homeland by becoming Malaysia'€™s tourism ambassador and honorary advisor of the recent Malaysia Fashion Week (MFW).

'€œIt'€™s very important for me to be here [at MFW] because I want to go back to my country, to do more for my country and also the whole region if I can,'€ Choo told The Jakarta Post at the event.  

True to his words, he was frequently seen around the fashion week'€™s exhibition area, engaged in conversations with other designers, greeting guests or simply taking pictures with his fans.

With his reputation, it was quite a surprise to see that Choo did not only greet guests but also helped them find their seats before the fashion show of his protégé, Illiza Ho, began.

'€œThis is how I show my support for my student. I also have to say hello to people, welcome everyone and support the show,'€ he says.

Choo also likes to travel to many parts of the world to share his knowledge with younger designers, organizing workshops while searching for young designers to be taken as his students.

'€œI want to look for talented designers, bring them to London to visit London Fashion Week to sponsor them, introduce them to more people. This business is not just about what you know, it'€™s also about who you know,'€ said Choo, who is also the visiting lecturer of the London College of Fashion.

'€œBut don'€™t worry, I'€™m still designing couture. I wouldn'€™t stop designing shoes because that'€™s what I am, but nobody can stop me from teaching young designers.'€

The 65-year-old was born in Pe-nang, Malaysia, into the family of shoemakers. His father wanted him to follow his path, asking little Choo to sit and watch him make shoes. By the age of 11, he was able to make his first pair of shoes.

He later went to England in the early 1980s to study at the Cordwainers Technical College (now part of London College of Fashion) in Hackney and graduated with honors in 1983.

Instead of returning to Malaysia, he decided to stay in the UK upon graduating, opening his first shop in 1986 by renting an old hospital building in Hackney.

His creations soon gained popularity among women and in 1988, his designs were featured in an eight-page spread in Vogue. His work then caught the attention of Lady Diana, who seemed to wear Choo'€™s designs wherever she went, further boosting his name in the fashion world.

Choo'€™s reputation for making fine handmade shoes caught the attention of Tamara Mellon, an editor at Vogue magazine, who then offered an idea to build a footwear ready-to-wear line, Jimmy Choo Ltd.

Together, they opened a boutique in London and the business soon flourished, prompting the opening of more shops in the US.

Jimmy Choo'€™s sling back pumps, boots, killer heels and strappy sandals are known for being simple but stylish and comfortable.  

But in 2001, Choo decided to sell his share in Jimmy Choo Ltd. to Equinox Luxury Holdings due to a difference of opinion about the future direction of the company.

Choo went back to London and decided to work on his Jimmy Choo Couture line, which has always been his true passion, despite the huge success of the ready-to-wear line.

'€œI now work with a small team, mostly young people, to deliver handmade shoes to specific clients,'€ he says.

His dedication for so many years in developing the fashion industry has been recognized by many. In 2000, he was awarded with a Dato title by the sultan of Pahang state in Malaysia and in 2002, he was also awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to the fashion industry in the UK.

Despite his success, Choo remains humble.

'€œI'€™m still thinking of myself as a child so I can always learn. By learning, I can have new ideas, which allow me to move forward.'€

Apart from giving back to society, Choo, who'€™s plan-B was to be a healer if he failed at shoe making, also dedicates most of his time to his family.

'€œBefore, I had no time for them, I always worked all the time. I regret having missed many of their activities. I'€™m trying to make up for it, have more time for them,'€ he says.

He flies to Japan and Taiwan to see his son and daughter and his big family gathers together at least three times a year to celebrate big events.

'€œI still have so many things I want to do in my life. But now, giving back to society and family is the most important thing for me.'€ 

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