Jimmy Choo: Elegant and Bold

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed)
Dec 15th 2009 at 11:17PM

Jimmy Choo, a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best Leathergoods, was launched in 1995 when Tamara Mellon, Accessories Editor at British Vogue, realized the potential demand for stylish but wearable shoes. Mellon approached Jimmy Choo, a couture shoe maker based in the East End of London who was recognized for his excellent craftsmanship. The pair formed a partnership to start a ready-to-wear shoe company and opened the first stand alone boutique on Montcomb Street. Sandra Choi, Choo's neice, was named the company's Creative Director with Mellon as its president. Joshua Schulman is the company's chief executive officer.

In 1998, the company opened its first boutique in New York, followed by Los Angeles in 1999. The company's name soon became synonymous with the "red carpet" shoe of choice. Choo's shoes were a favorite of the late Princess Diana, worn by Michelle Obama to the Inauguration Ceremony and have also been seen on such Oscar winners including Cate Blanchett, Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman and Hilary Swank, among others.

In 2001, Jimmy Choo expanded significantly and introduced a handbag collection. Today, Jimmy Choo encompasses a complete luxury lifestyle accessory brand with women's shoes, handbags, small leather goods, sunglasses and eyewear. Its products are now available in tknumber of Jimmy Choo freestanding stores as well as in prestigious department and specialty stores worldwide. The Jimmy Choo store network now encompasses more than 100 locations in 32 countries.

The brand received the 2009 "Designer Brand of the Year" award from the British Fashion Council, the 2008 ACE award for "Brand of the Year" from the Accessory Council and the 2008 "Brand of the year" from the 22nd Annual Footwear News Awards in New York.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Gallery: More from Jimmy Choo

Tags: accessories award, AccessoriesAward, awards-main, handbags, jimmy choo, JimmyChoo, leathergoods, luxist awards, LuxistAwards, shoes

Filed under: Apparel, Handbags, Shoes

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

christianlouboutinseason Jan 11th 2010 10:24PM

Jimmy Choo shoes is, by far, the a lot of accepted shoe artist if it comes to Hollywood’s hottest superstars.Christian Louboutin is one of the a lot of admired shoe designers in the apple of artist fashion.Manolo Blahnik bootshas been seen all over the world ,both the superstar and the ordinary people ,most of women has the Manolo Blahnik shoes,they are beautiful ,comfortable and sexy.