Jimmy Choo (Joseph Zhou), a renowned Malaysian shoe designer and recipient of the Order of the British Empire, was once the personal shoemaker to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Whenever Princess Diana acquired new attire, she would collaborate with Joseph Zhou to design matching shoes to complement her outfits.
In 1996, Joseph Zhou opened his first Jimmy Choo Ltd shoe store in London, attracting those who admired Princess Diana's style. Over time, Jimmy Choo became a symbol of sophistication.
Now, the brand founded by Joseph Zhou, Jimmy Choo Ltd., has a sample showroom and production workshop in central London. In April 2001, Joseph Zhou sold half of his shares for £10 million to Tamara Mellon. He focuses on designing shoes for his own Jimmy Choo Couture store in London, where only customers who place custom orders at Jimmy Choo Couture can obtain shoes personally designed by Joseph Zhou. Christian Dior shoes are also available there. Madonna wore a pair of Jimmy Choo high heels at her wedding, while many Hollywood actresses choose Jimmy Choo designs to match their elegant outfits for various events.
Today, Jimmy Choo's clientele includes members of the British Royal Family, pop stars like Kylie Minogue, the Spice Girls, and Atomic Kitten, and Hollywood actresses who are loyal fans of Jimmy Choo. Numerous female celebrities select Jimmy Choo designs to accessorize their gowns at award ceremonies and other occasions.
Compared to top luxury brands like Chanel or Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo is still relatively young and cannot be compared in terms of sales volume, product line diversity, or distribution channels. However, as its brand awareness continues to grow, it has appeared on the cover of fashion magazine supplements, and actresses attending the Academy Awards often walk the red carpet in Jimmy Choo shoes. In a sense, Jimmy Choo's fame is as high as the signature stiletto heels and boots with straps that it offers.
In 2004, Joseph Zhou was awarded the title of Dato' in his hometown of Penang for making a name for himself in the international footwear industry and enhancing Malaysia's global reputation. Related topics include: The Evolution of Jimmy Choo, Brand Shoe Companies Practicing Philanthropy for a Harmonious Society, and Decisive Actions Needed for Inventory Management in Brand Shoe Companies.