KUALA LUMPUR (June 6): Malaysian couture shoe designer Datuk Jimmy Choo is launching a London fashion school called JCA London Fashion Academy to educate young designers.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published yesterday, Choo explained about how Covid-19 has changed the fashion industry, what motivates him to keep designing, and whether people will dress up again.

He said as Covid slowly dies down, the industry will go back to the fashion runways.

"People like to hear the music and see the models. In digital, the feel is different. I think the real shows will come back," he said.

To a question if people still want to dress up, Choo said that he has been in Malaysia for the past year.

"Here, we still dress up nicely. Otherwise life will be too boring. People like to go shopping and to wear nice things," he replied.

On why he started JCA, Choo said that in college, he studied design.

"But we never learned about the business side of fashion or how to work with the factories.

"My father always said to me, you should pass on your skill. If you don't pass it on, it will be lost," said the 72-year-old Choo.

On what he would advice young designers, Choo said they have to love what they are doing.

"If they don't love what they are doing, there is no point. You can't say, 'I want to be famous and make a lot of money.' Also, if there is something you don't know, you should ask people. If you keep quiet, you will never learn. My father taught me that," he said.

WSJ said Choo parted ways with the company that bears his name two decades ago.

But he continues to ply his craft, designing couture gowns, shoes and a new bridal collection.

At the same time, he serves as a tourism ambassador for Malaysia, it said.

On why he sold his stake in Jimmy Choo, the footwear company that is now owned by Capri Holdings Ltd, in 2001, he explained that a designer works all the time.

"I never went home to see my children. I slept in the workshop. The next morning, I'd wash and start working again. It was time to spend more time with my family," he said.

Choo has been a design and creative director since 2017 and designs couture gowns for The Atelier Couture.

Choo has honorary professorship from the London College of Fashion as well as the Order of the British Empire. He has also been conferred Panglima Jasa Negara for meritorious service.

His famous clients include the late Princess Diana and members of other royal families.