Curtin final-year Fashion students experienced the opportunity of a lifetime last week when they met and showed their work to global fashion icon, Professor Jimmy Choo OBE.
The world-renowned shoemaker visited the Curtin Fashion School last week as part of a new education program for the Western Australian creative industry, called Fashion Advocate.
Professor Choo was brought to Perth by West Australian Newspapers for its Fashion Agenda brand. It was his first-ever visit to Australia.
Accompanied by handbag designer Illiza Ho – his protégé, Professor Choo was welcomed by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Terry and Faculty of Humanities PVC, Professor Majella Franzmann.
Students Mallory Maduka-Ika, Jayde Christie, Tia Tokic, Maegan Da Silva, Melanie Lam and Chanelle Gibbs each had the opportunity to discuss their latest design projects, receiving some valuable feedback. The affable fashion icon shared his business card with each student, saying they were welcome to contact him for further advice.
The Fashion Advocate (Creativity Through Skills) program aims to bring to life the disappearing art of craftsmanship, encouraging the young to take up careers in design.
Born in Malaysia in 1961, Professor Choo followed in his cobbler father’s footsteps and made his first pair of shoes at just 11 years of age.
