Shoemaker Jimmy Choo is planning a network of shoe academies worldwide, with the first to open in his home country of Malaysia.
30 January 2009
Choo, whose footwear is worn by royalty and the stars, has long had plans to set aside his design business and focus instead on imparting his skills to the young.
"It has to be well-planned and reputable. Once it is established, the academy can be licensed all over the world on the Jimmy Choo label," he said during a visit to Malaysia.
Choo, who was in his home town of Penang to celebrate Chinese New Year for the first time in 15 years, said he was proud that US First Lady Michelle Obama wore a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes to the inaugural ball earlier this month.
But he said he favourite clients were Hollywood actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.
"Katie and Tom are my favourite customers as they will take the trouble to drop me a thank you note after visiting me to order a pair of shoes," he said.
"I really appreciate that as they are so rich and famous but yet remain humble and friendly."
Born Zhou Yangjie to Hakka Chinese immigrants in Penang, Choo has risen to the top of the fashion pile, designing shoes for the rich and famous, including Princess Diana, and receiving Malaysia's equivalent of a knighthood.
Now a British citizen, Choo confines himself to bespoke couture designs, having sold his ready-to-wear business to former Vogue editor Tamara Mellon.
The ready-to-wear label was bought in 2007 by a US private equity firm working with the firm's management team, including Mellon.