Five minutes with Jimmy Choo
His name is iconic and recognised around the world, but few know that Jimmy Choo OBE left his brand behind to make way for a stage where he establishes himself as a teacher of new talents, those we saw in the middle of the London Fashion Week SS25 calendar.
His shoes are part of pop culture and his name and surname are recognized beyond those who like fashion. Jimmy Choo welcomed us in a small room while we waited to see the show of the students of JCA London Fashion Academy , created in 2021 to promote new talents in pursuit of a sustainable and business-focused approach, something that not many have the opportunity to review while studying Design.
For Mr. Choo, familiarity and closeness are part of his hallmark and with a big handshake we approached him to ask him some questions, which he answered with absolute friendliness and serenity surrounded by his team.
L'OFFICIEL: At what point did you realise that the tradition of making shoes passed down from your father had become something much bigger for you?
Jimmy Choo: My father was in the shoe industry, he was a real craftsman. And from a very young age I was surrounded by shoes everywhere. As I grew up, I realized that it was something I loved and I said to myself, “When I grow up I want to make shoes, I want to be a shoe designer.”
L'O: But was it something that was born after his father taught him?
JC: Yes, I learned the art from my dad. Every day, every day, making shoes by hand, without any machine. With one piece of leather, he could create a pair of shoes. So it's all about understanding the beauty of movement, just like building a house: how to start from scratch and understand the heel, the balance and the comfort that they can carry, understanding yourself.
L'O: What is the most important thing you teach your students about fashion?
JC: I think it is very important to pass on my skills, my knowledge and understanding. All these years I have taught them how to be good designers, how to look at the world around them, how to build their businesses, which is very important. I not only teach them how to be fashion designers but also how to take care of the economic part, with which they can create jobs and opportunities for more generations, which is very important for the country to continue growing.
L'O: What do you think about current fashion, which is very much driven by economics and leaves creativity aside?
JC: Fashion is not the same anymore because you can order clothes faster online, so you are taught to be faster, to follow trends to keep up. There is also AI, which is very present in our days. But the most important thing is to learn the skills necessary to keep up, so you have to teach them that and also nurture their talents at the same time.
L'O: You are a legend, your name is part of pop culture and you surely have many favourite designs. However, apart from fashion, is there anything that draws you?
JC: Today everyone asks me if I want to act in this, that, especially in Malaysia, haha. Let’s say I would like to be an actor, who knows. I enjoy music, every day before I go to sleep I listen to a lot of songs. Some songs have lyrics that really touch your heart; when you love what you do, you can feel that feeling. Fashion is very important to me, I can show it in New York, Shanghai, Barcelona, different parts of the world. Maybe one day I want to act and I’ll be seen in a movie, who knows (laughs).
