Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat (born 15 November 1948[1]) is a Malaysian fashion designer based in the United Kingdom. He co-founded Jimmy Choo Ltd, which became known for its handmade women's shoes.[2]
Choo was born in 1948 in the Crown Colony of Penang (now part of Malaysia) into a family of shoemakers of HakkaChinese descent. Choo's father, a shoemaker who made all of his shoes by hand, taught him the craft. "My parents were shoemakers and I have followed my father's lead. He inspired me," said Jimmy Choo.[3] He made his first pair of shoes when he was 11 years old—a pair of slippers.[4][5][6]
Between 1982 and 1984, Choo studied at Cordwainers Technical College in Hackney (now part of the London College of Fashion) in London.[7] He went to a design firm to work after graduation, wishing to remain in London permanently instead of returning to Malaysia.[5]
After college, Choo worked at two design companies for a total of nine years before starting his own business. He quickly started his own business. Choo initially started with the help of the Prince's Trust. Choo's parents emigrated to Britain to help him get started, and he eventually expanded the business by opening his first shop in 1986, renting space in the old Metropolitan Hospital, Kingsland Road, N1. His craftsmanship and designs were soon noticed at London Fashion Week in 1988. After seeing his creations, Vogue featured his shoes in an eight page spread. Choo has said that his designs became significantly more popular after the Vogue coverage.[5] Patronage from Princess Diana in the early 1990s further bolstered his image.[5]
1996年、チュウは英国版ヴォーグ誌のアクセサリー編集者タマラ・メロンと共にジミー・チュウ社を共同設立した。[ 8 ] 2001年4月、チュウは同社の50%の株式を1000万ポンドで売却した 。[ 8 ]それ以来、彼はジミー・チュウ社からライセンスを受けて製造されるジミー・チュウの高級クチュールラインに注力している。 [ 9 ]ジミー・チュウ・ロンドン・ライン(ジミー・チュウ・レディ・トゥ・ウェア、または単にジミー・チュウとも呼ばれる)はタマラ・メロンの管轄下にある。このレディ・トゥ・ウェア・ラインはハンドバッグなどのアクセサリーを含むまでに拡大した。
2009年、チュウは自身のブランドがダイアナ妃のお気に入りだったと語った。[ 10 ]
2023年、ギリシャのラップ・アバンギャルド・アーティスト、ロイ6/12は、デザイナーの名前が出てくるシングル「ジミー・チュウ」を収録したアルバム「ストリップクラブ」をリリースした。歌詞では、ジミー・チュウがデザインした靴を履くことが、男女間の不倫関係の成就に役立つと歌われている。[ 11 ]
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