Jimmy Choo Facts for Kids

In this Chinese name, the family name is Choo (周).

Quick facts for kids

Yang Berbahagia Datuk

Jimmy Choo

PJN DIMP DSPN OBE

Choo at the Red Dot Awards in 2016

Born

Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat

15 November 1948 (age 76)

George Town, Crown Colony of Penang

Alma mater

Cordwainers Technical College

Occupation

Fashion designer

Spouse(s)

Datin Rebecca Choi

Children

2, including Danny

Chinese name

Traditional Chinese

周仰傑

Simplified Chinese

周仰杰

Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Zhōu Yǎngjié
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutping	Zau1 Joeng5 Git6
Southern Min
Hokkien POJ	Chiu Gióng-kia̍t
Tâi-lô	Tsiu Gióng-kia̍t

Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat, born on November 15, 1948, is a famous fashion designer from Malaysia. He lives in the United Kingdom. He helped start a company called Jimmy Choo Ltd. This company became very well-known for making beautiful, handmade shoes for women.

Early Life: How a Shoe Designer Started
Career: Building a Fashion Empire
Awards and Honours: Recognizing His Talent
Images for kids
See also

Early Life: How a Shoe Designer Started

Choo was born in 1948 in George Town, Penang, which is part of Malaysia. He came from a family of shoemakers. His family name is Chew, but it was spelled "Choo" by mistake on his birth certificate.

Jimmy's father was a shoemaker who made all his shoes by hand. He taught Jimmy how to make shoes. Jimmy once said, "My parents were shoemakers and I have followed my father's lead. He inspired me." He made his very first pair of shoes, which were slippers, when he was only 11 years old.

Between 1982 and 1984, Choo studied at Cordwainers Technical College in Hackney, London. This college is now part of the London College of Fashion. After he graduated, he wanted to stay in London. So, he went to work for a design company instead of going back to Malaysia.

Career: Building a Fashion Empire

After college, Jimmy Choo worked at two different design companies for nine years. Then, he decided to start his own business. He got some help from the Prince's Trust, an organization that helps young people.

Jimmy's parents moved to Britain to help him get his business going. In 1986, he opened his first shop. He rented an old hospital building for his new business. People quickly noticed his amazing craftsmanship and designs. His work was featured at London Fashion Week in 1988.

After seeing his creations, Vogue magazine published an eight-page article about his shoes. Jimmy Choo said that his designs became much more popular after this article. In the early 1990s, Princess Diana also became a customer. This made his brand even more famous.

In 1996, Jimmy Choo started Jimmy Choo Ltd. with Tamara Mellon, who was an accessories editor for British Vogue magazine. In April 2001, Choo sold his 50% share in the company for £10 million. After that, he focused on his special Jimmy Choo couture line. This line makes unique, custom-made shoes. The ready-to-wear line, which includes handbags, is managed by Tamara Mellon.

Awards and Honours: Recognizing His Talent

Jimmy Choo has received many awards and honours for his work in fashion. These awards celebrate his contributions to the shoe industry.

Key Awards and Recognitions

2002: He was given the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire). This award recognized his services to the shoe and fashion industry in the UK.
2004: De Montfort University in Leicester, UK, gave him an honorary doctorate in art. This was for his help with their special Footwear Design degree.
2009: He received an Honorary Fellowship from University of the Arts London.
2011: He won "The World's Outstanding Malaysian Designer 2011" Design for Asia Award.
2011: He also won the "Outstanding Chinese Designer Award" for his achievements in making shoes.
2012: He received the "You Bring Charm to the World – the Most Influential Malaysian Award."
2013: He became a member of the Red Dot product design jury. This group judges product designs.

Honours from Malaysia

Malaysia :
- Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (PJN) – This title made him a Datuk in 2013.
Pahang :
- Knight Companion of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (DIMP) – This title made him a Dato' in 1999.
Penang :
- Officer of the Order of the Defender of State (DSPN) – This title made him a Dato' in 2004.