Jimmy Choo
Thursday 28 February 2013 | 21:13 | 0 comments
Biography
Jimmy Choo, OBE, born Choo Yeang Keat, is a Malaysian Chinese fashion designer based in London, United Kingdom. He is best known for founding Jimmy Choo Ltd that became known for its handmade women's shoes. Choo was born in Penang, Malaysia, into a family of shoemakers, who are of Chinese Hakka descent. His family name is Chow but was misspelt on his birth certificate as Choo. He made his first shoe when he was 11 years old. He is perhaps the most notable of students of Cordwainers Technical College in Hackney, England, from which he graduated in 1983.
Career
Choo has divulged that he worked part-time at restaurants and as a cleaner at a shoe factory to help fund his college education. Jimmy Choo traced his beginnings back to his workshop in Hackney, North London, which he opened in 1986 by renting an old hospital building.His craftsmanship and designs were soon noticed and he came to the verge of international notability when his creations were featured in a record eight pages in a 1988 issue of Vogue.In 1996, he co-founded Jimmy Choo Ltd with British Vogue magazine accessories editor Tamara Mellon.In April 2001, Choo sold his 50% stake in the company for £10 million.He has since concentrated his work on the exclusive Jimmy Choo Couture line produced under license from Jimmy Choo Ltd.Choo lives in London and is currently involved in a project to set up a shoemaking institute in Malaysia.
Award
2002: Conferred an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in recognition of his services to the shoe and fashion industry in the UK.2004: Awarded the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of his home state of Penang, which also carries the title Dato'.2009: Awarded an Honorary Fellowship by University of the Arts London .2011: Winner of “The World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer 2011” Design for Asia Award.2012: Received You Bring Charm to the World – World’s Most Influential Chinese AwardAwarded an honorary doctorate in art in July 2004 by De Montfort University, Leicester, U.K., for his contribution to their unique Single Honours Footwear Design degree.
In 1988, Jimmy Choo was discovered by Vogue, the high profile magazine publishing an eight-page spread of his work. Choo found further success with the help of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. She ordered six pairs of shoes after meeting the designer for the first time.
Labels: businessman, CEO, chinese, disgners, international, male, shoes designers
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