Yesterday, Zendaya once again stole the spotlight at the 2025 Met Gala, turning heads in a crisp white Louis Vuitton pantsuit, topped with a wide-brimmed hat and grounded by sky-high 6-inch Jimmy Choo platform heels. The look, bold yet timeless, was a nod to the gala’s theme “Tailored for You”. But beneath all the silk, satin, and stardom was a quieter tribute, the shoes themselves.
Because long before “Jimmy Choo” became a global symbol of red carpet glamour, it was the name of a boy from George Town, Penang, who crafted his first pair of shoes at just 11 years old, for his mother.
From Penang’s Cobbler Lane to Fashion Royalty
Born Choo Yeang Keat in 1948 into a modest Hakka family of shoemakers, Jimmy’s surname was originally “Chow.” A clerical error on his birth certificate changed it to “Choo.” This small twist of fate that would one day become a world-famous brand.
His childhood wasn’t gilded in luxury. Instead, it was filled with scraps of leather, wooden lasts, and afternoons spent watching his father craft shoes by hand in their humble shop.
“We didn’t have television, computers, or even calculators,” he once said. “So I spent my time watching my father, that was my entertainment.”
By the age of 11, Jimmy had made his first pair: simple leather slippers for his mother’s birthday. They took eight hours to finish. That act, part love, part craftsmanship would mark the beginning of a journey that would take him from cobbler’s apprentice to couture legend.
Finding His Footing in London
At 21, with big dreams and limited resources, Choo moved to London to pursue shoemaking professionally. He enrolled at Cordwainers Technical College in Hackney, now part of the London College of Fashion and immersed himself in the art and discipline of European footwear design.
After graduation, he worked with several firms for nearly a decade, learning the business side of fashion. But the desire to create something of his own never left him.
With £6,000, his mother’s entire retirement fund and his parents’ help, Jimmy opened his first workshop in 1986 in a run-down former hospital building in East London.
At the time, he made and sold each shoe by hand; cutting, sewing, and packaging them himself. But fate had big plans.
The Vogue Moment That Changed Everything
In 1988, British Vogue featured his handmade shoes in a full eight-page spread. It was a rare honour for an unknown designer. That one article transformed Jimmy’s business overnight.
“Before Vogue, I had no clients,” he once admitted. “After Vogue, I couldn’t keep up with orders.”
Soon, he was collaborating with top fashion houses and showcasing at London Fashion Week. But his biggest turning point would come in a size 7.
Princess Diana: His Greatest Patron
Through a friend in the fashion world, Jimmy’s shoes made their way to Princess Diana, and she fell in love with his work. She invited him to Kensington Palace and commissioned custom pairs, wearing them to events and photoshoots, catapulting his name into the spotlight.
“She gave me her trust and her feet,” he once said with a laugh. “Thanks to Princess Diana, my shoes were suddenly seen around the world.”
Their friendship was genuine. Diana didn’t just endorse his brand, she helped shape it. And with her, the Jimmy Choo name took off.
Building the Brand, And Letting It Go
In 1996, Jimmy partnered with British Vogue editor Tamara Mellon to co-found Jimmy Choo Ltd. Backed by a £150,000 loan, they opened their first boutique in London, followed by New York and Beverly Hills. His niece, Sandra Choi, joined as Creative Director, and the brand quickly became a red-carpet staple.
Stars like Beyoncé, Angelina Jolie, and Jennifer Lopez wore his designs. Then came Sex and the City, and that iconic Carrie Bradshaw line: “I’ve lost my Choos!” The brand was now pop culture royalty.
But just as the empire was rising, Jimmy stepped away.
In 2001, he sold his 50% stake for £8.8 million, citing creative differences and a desire to return to what he loved; handmade shoes and time with his family.
“Selling the business was good for two things,” he said.
“It gave me time with my children. I could pay school fees before, but that is not love. They needed a father.”
Tamara Mellon left in 2011. Meanwhile, Jimmy Choo Ltd grew beyond shoes, adding handbags, eyewear, fragrances, and menswear. In 2017, the brand was acquired by Michael Kors Holdings in a deal worth £896 million.
Walking a New Path Under His True Name
Today, Jimmy no longer designs under his famous name. Instead, he creates bespoke shoes under Zhou Yang Jie, his birth name, and dedicates his time to mentoring young talents.
“I don’t use Jimmy Choo anymore,” he said “I use my Chinese name because I am not part of Jimmy Choo, and I don’t want to confuse people.”
He launched the JCA London Fashion Academy, where he teaches craftsmanship with a focus on values: humility, patience, and integrity. He also regularly visits CENTEXS in Sarawak, helping train aspiring designers in Malaysia.
“Anyone can learn technique,” he says. “But real success comes from character.”
He still crafts a few pairs each year; all by hand, often for close friends and private clients. No mass production. No shortcuts.
Humble, Grounded, and Forever Malaysian
Despite living in London, Jimmy’s heart remains in Malaysia. During a recent trip to Kuching, he praised Sarawak’s peaceful charm and food, even diplomatically comparing assam laksa and Sarawak laksa: “Both have their own soul,” he smiled.
“Success must always begin with a strong foundation,” he said. “You must know who you are before you can show the world your work.”
From cobbled streets to couture catwalks, Datuk Jimmy Choo’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, craftsmanship, and staying true to your roots.
Because sometimes, the most extraordinary names in fashion don’t begin in Paris or Milan, but in the heart of Malaysia.
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