The Jimmy Choo brand was founded in 1996 when Tamara Melton, Accessories Editor of British Vogue, saw a gap in the market for high-end designer accessories. She approached Malaysian-born bespoke shoe maker Jimmy Choo with the idea of launching a ready-to-wear womenswear shoe collection. Melton secured funding from her father for the business and managed to source manufacturers in Italy. In the same year, the Jimmy Choo brand opened its first shoe store in London’s prestigious Knightsbridge.
Although, Mr. Jimmy Choo sold his 50% stake in the brand in 2001 to Equinox Luxury Holding Ltd, the luxury footwear label grew from strength to strength under his name and the leadership of Tamara Mellon. The resulting cash injection was vital to the successful expansion of the Jimmy Choo Label. In less than two decades, Jimmy Choo has been transformed from a small bespoke shoemaker, with a single store, into a major global brand estimated to be worth £500m selling men’s and women’s shoes, handbags, small leather accessories, a bridal collection and perfume.As of 2011 the Jimmy Choo brand had boutiques across the world. The handmade shoes, with a high-quality of craftsmanship, have earned the brand a host of loyal celebrity fans, which includes Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel Bilson and Tyra Banks.
Meanwhile, investment bank BNY Mellon has taken out a new lease on its Canary Wharf home in 1 Canada Square in the latest boost for London's Docklands. Mellon, which has been a tenant at Canary Wharf for 13 years, will pay £42.50 a sq ft for the space.
Check out the official Jimmy Choo website here.
