Jimmy Choo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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Jimmy Choo
PJN DIMP DSPN OBE
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Choo at the Red Dot Awards in 2016
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| Born |
Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat
15 November 1948 George Town, Crown Colony of Penang
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| 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 | ||||||||||||||||
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Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat (born on November 15, 1948) is a famous Malaysian fashion designer. He lives in the United Kingdom. He helped start the company Jimmy Choo Ltd. This company became well-known for making beautiful handmade shoes for women.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Jimmy Choo was born in 1948 in Penang, Malaysia. He came from a family of shoemakers. His father was a shoemaker who made all shoes by hand. He taught Jimmy how to make shoes. Jimmy 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.
From 1982 to 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 there.
Starting His Career
After college, Jimmy Choo worked for two 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 even moved to Britain to help him get started.
In 1986, he opened his first shop. He rented an old hospital building for his business. Soon, people noticed his amazing craftsmanship and designs. This happened at London Fashion Week in 1988. After seeing his shoes, Vogue magazine showed his designs in a big eight-page article. Jimmy Choo said that his shoes became much more popular after this Vogue coverage.
In the early 1990s, Princess Diana started wearing his shoes. This made his brand even more famous.
Building a Fashion Empire
In 1996, Jimmy Choo started Jimmy Choo Ltd. with Tamara Mellon. She was an accessories editor for British Vogue magazine. In April 2001, Jimmy Choo sold his half of the company for £10 million.
After selling his share, he focused on the special Jimmy Choo couture line. These are very exclusive, custom-made shoes. The main Jimmy Choo London line, also called Jimmy Choo Ready-To-Wear, is now managed by Tamara Mellon. This ready-to-wear line has grown to include other items like handbags.
In 2009, Jimmy Choo shared that his brand was a favorite of Princess Diana.
Awards and Special Honours
Jimmy Choo has received many awards and special honours for his work in fashion.
- 2002: He was made an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire). This was for his great work in the shoe and fashion industry in the UK.
- 2004: He received an honorary doctorate (a special degree) in art from De Montfort University in the UK. This was for his help with their unique shoe design degree.
- 2009: He was given an Honorary Fellowship by University of the Arts London.
- 2011: He won "The World's Outstanding Malaysian Designer 2011" 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 judge for the Red Dot product design awards.
He has also received special honours in Malaysia and the United Kingdom. These honours recognize his important contributions.
- Malaysia:
- Commander of the Order of Meritorious Service (PJN) – This gave him the title Datuk (2013).
- Knight Companion of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (DIMP) – This gave him the title Dato' (1999).
- Officer of the Order of the Defender of State (DSPN) – This gave him the title Dato' (2004).
- United Kingdom:
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) (2002).
Images for kids
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Choo at TEDxShanghai in 2012
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See also
In Spanish: Jimmy Choo para niños
