Jimmy Choo in 2025: How the Luxury Shoe Giant Is Reinventing Glamour for a New Era

As Carrie Bradshaw once famously cried, “I lost my Choo!” — a line that cemented Jimmy Choo’s place in fashion history.

Beloved by royalty and Hollywood’s elite alike, the brand remains synonymous with modern luxury, continually pushing boundaries while perfecting the art of the effortlessly glamorous stiletto.

In 2021, Jimmy Choo celebrated its 25th anniversary—a milestone that cemented its legacy as one of fashion’s most enduring symbols of glamour and craftsmanship.

Jimmy Choo’s luxurious retail store showcases its signature footwear and accessories in an elegant and modern setting (Credit: Sorbis / Shutterstock)

More than two decades later, the British label continues to captivate red carpets and style icons alike, proving that timeless elegance never goes out of fashion.

In 2025, Jimmy Choo reaffirmed its modern relevance with new Spring and Autumn collections, unveiling the Y2K-inspired “Hyper Glamour” aesthetic, a renewed focus on reimagined classics for men, and the appointment of Bai Lu as its Asia-Pacific Brand Ambassador. The year also marked the opening of its sleek new Madison Avenue flagship, underscoring the brand’s enduring global influence.

Jimmy Choo’s Most Glamorous Celebrity Moments in 2025

The Story Behind Jimmy Choo: From Humble Beginnings to Global Fame

Jimmy Choo made his first pair of shoes at 11 – showing his flair for design at a young age. He was born in Malaysia and learned his craft from his father, who taught him how to make shoes by hand.

After moving to the UK in the 1980s, Choo studied at the iconic London College of Fashion before settling in London. During this time, he launched his first brand, Lucky Shoes.

Malaysian-Chinese shoe designer Jimmy Choo, pictured in 2008, founded his eponymous footwear label in 1996 (Credit: Alex Jackson / WENN)

After graduating, he swiftly launched his eponymous shoe brand, achieving instant success and opening his first store in 1996. Within two years, Jimmy Choo started gaining attention at London Fashion Week, culminating in an eight-page feature in Vogue.

During the 1990s, Jimmy Choo remained a relatively small brand. Their production team was handmaking around 20 pairs of shoes a week. Vogue’s Tamara Mellon joined the company, establishing Jimmy Choo Ltd, focusing on ready-to-wear shoes.

Like most British brands of the era, what turbocharged Jimmy Choo’s success was its connection to the late Princess Diana. Just before she died in 1997, Diana stepped out to an event at the Royal Albert Hall wearing a pair of Jimmy Choo slingbacks – and the rest is history.

The late Princess Diana exudes timeless grace in a Catherine Walker floral body-con dress, paired with metallic gold Jimmy Choo slingback pumps at the Royal Albert Hall in June 1997 (Credit: WENN)

The brand quickly became synonymous with its minimalist styling and streamlined silhouettes. Since its beginnings, the brand has focused on creating luxury footwear with exceptional craftsmanship.

Jimmy Choo describes its demographic as a “sophisticated clientele.” Their aesthetic focuses on a “sexy cut, fashionable design, and exceptional Italian craftsmanship.”

By the end of the ‘90s, Jimmy Choo had established itself as the ‘it’ footwear brand of the decade. Their strong, glamorous shoes, featuring towering stilettos, began to appear everywhere —from red carpets to celebrity events.

Jimmy Choo launched its men’s shoe collection in 2011 for the fall/winter season. The collection was presented at Milan Fashion Week.

Jimmy Choo’s Rise to Global Icon Status in the Fashion World

Within a few years, Jimmy Choo’s shoes became among the most coveted in the world. It entered pop culture after appearing in Sex and the City, and was immortalized when Carrie Bradshaw said, “I lost my Choo!”

With Bradshaw’s approval, the shoes broke into the mainstream, becoming one of the first shoe brands to dominate red carpet events.

Cate Blanchett was the first major celebrity to wear Jimmy Choo on the red carpet when she was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar in 1999. Since that fateful award show, we’ve paid as much attention to what celebrities wear on their feet as the dresses they wear. Celebs spotted in Jimmy Choo include Gabrielle Union, Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner, Selena Gomez, and Dakota Fanning.

Beyoncé, Victoria Beckham, Scarlett Johansson, and Jennifer Lopez showcase why Jimmy Choo remains the go-to choice for A-list glamour, from red carpets to city streets (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / Avalon / Mega / WENN)

Choo sold his 50% share in Jimmy Choo Ltd. in 2001 for $30 million, allowing him to focus on the couture line. This move allowed the designer to return to his roots, producing a small number of handmade luxury shoes. In 2002, Jimmy Choo was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his service to the fashion industry.

The label has expanded beyond just a shoe brand. Under the Jimmy Choo name, you can find everything from accessories to small leather goods, sunglasses, and perfumes.

Jimmy Choo was awarded ‘Designer Brand of the Year’ by the British Fashion Council in 2008. It also received the ‘ACE Brand of the Year’ from the Accessory Council and the ‘Brand of the Year’ from Footwear News in New York in 2008.

Choo’s original business partner, Tamara Mellon, eventually moved on from the company. In 2017, Jimmy Choo was acquired by the American fashion label Michael Kors and became part of the luxury conglomerate Capri Holdings Limited, marking a new era for the iconic footwear house.

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, perfectly illustrates her timeless style in Jimmy Choo “Romy” pumps—her go-to heels for polished, elegant ensembles (Credit: Mega / Lia Toby / Michael Wright / WENN)

The current Creative Director, Sandra Choi, has been with the brand since its inception as a fashion house in 1996. Choi is also Jimmy Choo’s niece.

How Much Jimmy Choo Shoes Cost — and Why They’re Worth It

As a luxury shoe brand, Jimmy Choo’s shoes are comparable in price to those of Christian Louboutin. The French shoe designer is one of their main competitors.

Depending on the style, you can spend anywhere from $400 to $1500+ on a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes. These shoes are an investment, but one that will last a lifetime.

The popular Avril shoes are among the most expensive in the current collection. These crystal-covered heels, which cost an eye-watering $4,700, are a work of living art.

The crystal-covered Jimmy Choo Avril is one of the brand’s most expensive styles, retailing for $4,700

You can expect to spend a few hundred dollars on a basic pair of Jimmy Choo court shoes or a style with minor detailing, like jewels or a sling-back.

If you’ve got a bigger budget, you can have more fun with your Jimmy Choo shoes at the $900+ price point. You’ll experience high-quality leather, expert craftsmanship, and the brand’s most unique styles.

Jimmy Choo Annie sandals, $725; Jimmy Choo Misty sandals, $700; and Jimmy Choo Romy pumps, $577

If you fall in love with a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes, you’re in luck, but you don’t want to splurge for the sticker price. Unlike many other luxury shoe brands, Jimmy Choo frequently offers seasonal sales. You can save up to 50% or more on seasonal designs throughout the year, either on Jimmy Choo’s website or at an authorized retailer.

Where Jimmy Choo Shoes Are Made: Inside Their Italian Craftsmanship

When Jimmy Choo shoes were first released, they were handmade in London. However, as their popularity skyrocketed in the late ‘90s, production was moved from London to Italy.

Although the production has moved, “Jimmy Choo London” is still proudly displayed on the insole logo and the shoe’s sole.

Alongside the iconic logo, you’ll also notice the words “Made in Italy.” Since these shoes are crafted in one of the world’s finest regions for craftsmanship, you may also spot “Vero Cuoio” stamped on the soles, which translates to “genuine leather” in Italian.

Jimmy Choo shoes feature the signature ‘London’ logo along with the ‘Made in Italy’ stamp, symbolizing the brand’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship

Due to Michael Kors’s takeover, Jimmy Choo shoes—along with Versace—are now produced by Alberto Gozzi. The family-owned manufacturer was established in 1974 in Tuscany.

This change means that Jimmy Choo shoes will continue to be made in Italy. While other brands are increasingly moving production out of Europe, Jimmy Choo keeps it firmly rooted in Europe’s leather capital.

Where to Buy Authentic Jimmy Choo Shoes Online and In-Store

As one of the most successful shoe brands in the world, Jimmy Choo has over 200 stores worldwide. The original Jimmy Choo store opened on Motcomb Street in London in 1996.

You can shop Jimmy Choo at the world’s most prestigious department stores, from Nordstrom to Saks Fifth Avenue—and online retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman also carry the brand’s signature heels and accessories through their elegant e-commerce platforms.

If you’re looking for a wide range and selection of Jimmy Choo shoes, your best option is to shop online.

The brand is stocked at all luxury e-commerce stores, including Farfetch and Mytheresa. These online stores allow you to access Jimmy Choo’s latest pieces. Their sales are some of the best opportunities to get a discounted pair of Jimmy Choo shoes. You’ll also find the brand occasionally appearing on Saks OFF 5TH and Nordstrom Rack.

If you’re looking to save a pretty penny or have your eyes on a discontinued style, the pre-loved market is another option. You can find an extensive range of vintage and pre-loved Jimmy Choo shoes on websites like Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal.

Beyond Jimmy Choo: Discover More Icons of Luxury Footwear

As Jimmy Choo continues to define modern elegance, it’s far from the only label capturing the hearts—and soles—of fashion lovers worldwide. Explore more stories celebrating the artistry, innovation, and star power behind today’s most coveted shoe brands.