When you think of red carpet-ready footwear, British shoemaker Jimmy Choo is invariably the first brand that comes to mind. With its signature high-octane polish married to silver screen flair, it is no wonder why the label is a hot favourite of Oscar winners such as Renée Zellweger, Charlize Theron, Lady Gaga and more. Chances are, you would have spotted Jimmy Choo’s scene-stealing styles in every imaginable colourway on these A-list celebrities at the world’s top awards ceremonies—some even choose to have their red carpet-ready heels customised to match their gowns.
A little-known story about how Jimmy Choo started its customisation service involves a young Cate Blanchett and the Oscars. In 1999, when Blanchett received her first Best Actress nomination for Elizabeth, she famously enlisted the British shoemaker to create a pair of white satin court shoes to match her gown. But a last-minute change to a plum-coloured outfit required the brand to think on its feet and it dyed her court shoes on the spot to match. It’s a happy ending for a fashion fairytale and marks the beginning of Jimmy Choo’s Made-To-Order service—minus the drama.
Royalty is also not immune to the seductive charms of a pair of Jimmy Choo heels. The Duchess of Cambridge famously counts among fans of the shoe brand, having opted for various styles—the Georgia, Vamp and Romy styles are on regular rotation in her wardrobe—over the years at royal occasions, film premieres and public appearances. But Kate Middleton is not the only member of the British royal family to fall in love with the brand. The late, eternally stylish Diana, Princess of Wales, chose it as her footwear du jour in the ’90s, forever searing that stylish image of poise and grace in our minds.
With its impressive roster of clients, strong female personalities have also become tied to the brand’s persona under creative director Sandra Choi. Leading female world figures such as former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama and high-powered lawyer and humanitarian Amal Clooney are firm stalwarts of the label. Obama has most notably worn Jimmy Choo heels to both the presidential inauguration balls in 2009 and 2013, while Clooney cuts a sharp figure in the courtroom and ballroom in powerful, pointed toe pumps—the Ari and Imogen are her perennial favourites. To further celebrate its deep connection to women of substance, the brand has launched its In My Choos campaign to put the spotlight on them. Through the power of storytelling, the brand seeks to further celebrate and highlight the meaningful work and change that these women are bringing about in their communities.
And now, anyone who wants to add that red carpet sparkle to their lives can do so through the new additions to the brand’s Made-To-Order collection. Joining the collection’s burgeoning portfolio of customisable shoes and bags are the Minny sandal and Varenne clutch. Choose up to four characters from a variety of metallic letters, numbers and symbols for your very own specialised monogram on the sole or opt for a personalised gold plaque to commemorate a special moment in your life. Brides will be glad to know that the letters and plaques also come in a special blue if they want to follow the English custom of having ‘something blue’ on their wedding day.
“Throughout the years at Jimmy Choo, we set out to maintain the same level of personalised service and attention to detail as when we were crafting shoes one pair at a time, for one client at a time. Bringing this Made-to-Order service directly to our customers makes it possible for the Jimmy Choo woman to have a bespoke pair of Jimmy Choo shoes,” says Choi.
With its heady mix of celebrity glitz and impeccable attention to detail, it is why the brand has earned its magical, stellar reputation and continues to be the footwear of choice for women the world over.
Discover the latest Jimmy Choo offerings at #01-42A/44 Paragon, 290 Orchard Road, and The Shoppes at #B2-80 Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue.
