Jimmy Choo

Datuk Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat (born 15 November 1948) 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.

Choo was born in 1948 in the Crown Colony of Penang, British Malaya, into a family of shoemakers.

Of Chinese descent, his family name is Chew, but it was misspelled on his birth certificate as Choo.

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.

He made his first pair of shoes when he was 11 years old—a pair of slippers.

Between 1982 and 1984, Choo studied at Cordwainers Technical College in Hackney (now part of the London College of Fashion) in London.

He went to a design firm to work after graduation, wishing to remain in London permanently instead of returning to Malaysia.

After college, Choo worked at two design companies for a total of nine years before starting 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 an old hospital building.

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.

Patronage from Princess Diana in the early 1990s further bolstered his image.

In 1996, Choo 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. The Jimmy Choo London line, also known as Jimmy Choo Ready-To-Wear or, simply, Jimmy Choo, is under the purview of Tamara Mellon.

The ready-to-wear line has expanded to include accessories such as handbags.

In 2009, Choo claimed that his brand was a favourite of Diana, Princess of Wales.