In collaboration with PASSIONS, VOICE OF ASIA is proud to present timeless articles from the archives, reproduced digitally for your reading pleasure. Originally published in PASSIONS Volume 46, we present this story on Datuk Jimmy Choo, and some of his design drafts as revealed in his book.
Famed shoemaker, Datuk Jimmy Choo once said, “We all wear shoes, every day – we have to. So they are a very important part of our wardrobe. They say something about the way you hold your body. They must be elegant and comfortable, because they affect your personality.” Indeed, the shoe maestro could not be more right.
Shoes have become such integral parts of our lives that a wardrobe ensemble is never complete without the perfect pair of matching footwear. As such, the process of creating designer shoes is not too different from the creative process that results in masterful works of art. It all begins with a spark of imagination.
Designers draw inspiration from just about anything – an exotic animal, a historic era, classical art and film or a simple household object. From a loose concept, an idea gradually makes its way to a concrete form, starting with an initial rough sketch. The concept gets refined with subsequent sketches until a final product visualisation is made tangible on paper, complete with the intended colours. From this drawing, a rendering of the design’s technical specifications is made, detailing dimensions and measurements of the components that will make up the shoe.
Finally, work on moulding the actual shoe can commence, resulting in that coveted pair of footwear. The Jimmy Choo XV 2012 collection coffee table book shows how some of the most desirable shoes come into being from sketch to final product.
Bambi
As the saying goes, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” The diamond Bambi, from the 1999 Spring / Summer collection, is a one-off strappy design using silver leather adorned with real diamonds for that year’s Academy Awards.
Fringe Sandal
Embellished with loose, light brown suede fringe, this is one of the designs from the exclusive Jimmy Choo Icon collection that stems from another one-off design for the Clements Ribeiros catwalk show.
Macy
A simple yet feminine and elegant violet satin design from the Jimmy Choo Icon collection makes for the perfect evening look.
Brigitte
Also from the Icon collection, this whimsical red and white gingham print heel inspired by a picnic blanket, invokes feelings of 60’s nostalgia.
Glenys
Animal prints are a common reccurring theme for Jimmy Choo. Glenys is a python skin print gladiator sandal heel from the 2008 Autumn / Winter collection.
