- Dato' Professor Jimmy Choo
Member of the red dot jury 2013
Icon of the fashion world: Dato' Professor Jimmy Choo debuts as a red dot juror in 2013
Mention �Jimmy Choo�, and elegant, exquisitely crafted shoes immediately come to mind. Famed for making shoes for the Late Diana, Princess of Wales, Dato' Professor Jimmy Choo�s beautiful creations have adorned the feet of royalty, celebrities and pop stars. In 2013, Dato' Professor Jimmy Choo, debuts as a jury member of the red dot design award and will enrich the expert panel with his know-how.
Choo, who descends from a Malaysian shoemaker family, learned the handicraft from his father. He studied at Cordwainers College, which is today part of the famous London College of Fashion. After graduating in 1983, he founded his own couture label and opened a show store in London�s East End in the late 1980s. With success: Jimmy Choo�s hand-made designs secured him steady customers, which also included the Late Diana, Princess of Wales.
In 1996, building upon his already strong presence in Britain and his growing international reputation, Choo launched his ready-to-wear line with the late Tom Yeardye. They opened their first boutique on London�s Motcomb Street. Two years later, branches in New York and Beverly Hills followed. Today, 150 stores in 32 countries distribute the luxurious high heels with their red carpet look, which make the hearts of fashionistas and Hollywood stars leap for joy.
Choo sold his share of the ready-to-wear business in November 2001 to Equinox Luxury Holdings Ltd., entrusting them to carry on his hallmark of comfort and elegance to the luxury goods market, while he continued to operate his couture line. Choo now spends his time supporting and promoting design education, as Ambassador for Footwear Education at the London College of Fashion and a spokesperson for the British Council in their promotion of British Education to foreign students.
In 2003, Jimmy Choo was honoured for his merits in fashion by Queen Elizabeth II.: she bestowed the dedicated shoe designer with the �Officer of the Order of the British Empire� title. With his expertise in shoe design, Jimmy Choo contributes to decision-making in the �red dot award: product design 2013�. Together with 37 international design experts, he will select the best works of the year.
