Â鶹APP

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Jimmy Choo

There are many notable names in the fashion industry and Jimmy Choo is one of them. Choo started designing shoes when he was 11 years old because his father was a cobbler and therefore, he followed in his footsteps. Choo’s early education was at Shih Chung Primary School in Penang. He then moved to England in her 30s, studied shoemaking at London’s Cordwainers College, and opened a shop in 1986 in a rented old hospital building.

Two years later, his craftsmanship and designs were featured in Vogue magazine, which catapulted him to fame and worldwide recognition. Therefore, this article will look at some sensational facts about the designer that will give the reader a deeper insight into his life and his reputable brand.

1 He came from a humble background

Like his father, Choo followed in his father’s footsteps in becoming a shoemaker. He was reportedly only 11 years old when he made his first shoes. However, Choo perfected his shoemaking skills at his Cordwainers Technical College in London which is now part of the London College of Fashion.

2 He was originally known as Chow

Jimmy Choo, whose full name is Choo Yeang Keat, was born on November 15, 1948, to a Hakka shoemaker family and hails from Georgetown, Penang. He is a world-famous shoe designer. Furthermore, it is known among fashion lovers around the world for its handmade women’s shoes.

However, not many people know that his real surname at birth was Chow. Due to a misspelling, his birth certificate was listed as Choo. Despite this flaw, Jimmy Choo is now a household name for his shoemaking talents that have made him successful in the fashion world.

3 He made six pairs of heels and donated them

In 2014, Jimmy Choo made six pairs of heels using materials native to Fukushima, including Aizu cotton, lacquerware, and Kawamata silk. After visiting workshops in the area to support artists struggling to rebuild their lives after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The designer was inspired by the crafts and materials of Fukushima. The shoes were then donated and exhibited t in a local organization in Fukushima.

5 He is a believer in Feng Shui

Feng Shui is Chinese geomancy that is achieved by arranging the pieces of the living space to achieve harmony with the people living in the environment. The designer is a firm believer in this practice and he even flew a feng shui master from his home country Malaysia to assess his store that was near Harvey Nichols in London.

When the feng shui master visited the store, he advised Jimmy Choo to ensure that the cash register faced away from the store. It is believed that when this is done, the money will not walk out and instead more customers will come to the store.

5 He has Datuk titles

Jimmy Choo is one of the most successful Malaysians abroad and therefore, he has made his country proud. Having such a successful career, Choo has been honoured with titles for his achievements. He has three Datuk titles. Jimmy Choo was bestowed his first datukship by the Sultan of Pahang in 2000.

Four years later, Choo was awarded another Dato title by the Penang State Government for his outstanding contribution to the state as a world-famous fashion icon. This was followed in 2013 by the Commonwealth Honors from Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who awarded Choo the title of Datuk which coincided with the royal birthday on 1 June.

6 He was conferred the Order of the British Empire

Jimmy Choo was even recognised in another country which is an achievement in itself. The designer was conferred with the Order of the British Empire in 2003. This order was in recognition of his efforts and services to the fashion and shoe industry in the United Kingdom.

Jimmy Choo was also the first in Malaysia to be awarded the title of the Freedom of the city of London in 2006. Furthermore, he also received an honorary fellowship from the University of the Arts in London.

7 Celebrities loved his designs

After rising to fame, many celebrities endorsed his brand. Some of the notable figures from different industries include Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Victoria Beckham, Cate Blanchett and Madonna.

The most iconic figure who loved the Jimmy Choo brand remains to be the late Princess Diana. The princess liked his shoe collection since his early days in the industry and she helped him gain global popularity. The duo developed a close relationship when they met for the first time at Kensington Palace in 1990. Jimmy Choo was even selected to be an ambassador for the Diana Award which commemorated 20 years since she passed.

8 He is very hardworking

A man of Jimmy Choo’s stature is under no obligation to work long hours as he has already established himself in the industry and he can also afford to hire people to do the work for him. But that is not the case for Jimmy Choo. He spent three days with no sleep as he was trying to complete the shoes on time.

9 He no longer owns the Jimmy Choo brand

Jimmy Choo decided to sell his shares for Jimmy Choo Ltd which he had co-founded with Tamara Mellon. This was because he disagreed with the direction the company was heading. The company was prioritising expansion over quality. This went against Choo’s vision as he wanted to sell handmade women’s shoes.

10 He has a couture line

After selling his shares, the designer started Jimmy Choo couture where he creates exclusive shoes for his fans. The shoes are made on an appointment basis. The designer now spends most of his time in London where he concentrates on his couture line.