Fashion Icons Encyclopedia. Jimmy Choo.

Jimmy Choo shoes are the only ones capable of overshadowing the manolos themselves, and it is rare that a brand can become a standard of social success and the essence of glamour in such a short span of life.

Jimmy Choo is named after the Malaysian shoemaker of the same name, who had designed some shoes for Lady Di and had a workshop in London's East End. Tamara Mellon, editor of Vogue UK, noticed the potential of Choo's designs and co-founded the Jimmy Choo brand with him in 1996. Sandra Choi, Choo's niece, joined the company as creative director shortly after.

Sandra Choi was born in the United Kingdom but received her education in Hong Kong. She started working in her uncle's workshop as a youngster, and her love of fashion drove her to enroll at the elite Central Saint Martins in London to study fashion design, but she dropped out after the first year. Tamara Mellon took over the reins and handed him design chores, and he began working with his uncle "making teas, receiving clients, and picking up the phone."

The company is known for its sexiness, quality produced in Italy, and for being one of the red carpet favorites of celebrities. Sandra Choi, along with Simon Holloway, became the creative director of one of the most sought and fastest expanding brands in recent fashion history, with more than 150 stores around the world in just over a decade of existence, following the departure of Mr. Choo and Mellon in 2001.

With her at the helm, the design firm has grown its business to include a variety of accessories, such as men's footwear, perfumes, and eyewear.