Jimmy Choo
Clip from Jimmy Choo’s “CHOO SKETCH” video

June 11, 2021: Last year, luxury footwear brand Jimmy Choo launched a program called “Choo Sketch.” Creative director Sandra Choi called on artists, designers, and those looking to fill time during lockdown measures to sketch their very own pair of heels. The prize? The brand quite literally brought fans’ dreams to life in the form of a capsule collection.

“I wanted to share my love of sketching with the Jimmy Choo community in the hope it would provide a moment of escape whilst we were all united in the challenges the Covid-19 pandemic brought,” says Choi. “I was overwhelmed by the number of sketches and stories we received and felt inspired and touched that we had reached so many people around the world. It was difficult to shortlist the number of submissions down to just 10, but each of the finalists had created a design which really resonated with me.”

The initiative, which took place weekly via Instagram, received over ten thousand submissions worldwide. Of the applicants, Jimmy Choo chose only five winners based on the designs with the most votes on Instagram. On June 8, the victors of the competition were announced: Joyce Fung (Hong Kong), Philip Tan Ramirez (Dubai), Valentina Badeanu (Romania), Nathan Scalzo (France), and Hema Ved (India).

Each design, unique in its own way, was born during lockdown. The finalists pulled from their experiences to create designs that were true to themselves but also resonated with the Jimmy Choo community. Fung’s Sparkling Broom design was reminiscent of the 1920s with embellished darling crystals and a heel wrapped in rhinestones creating the picture of the early aughts flapper dresses. Ramirez’s created a satin stiletto, entitled the Nina in a gorgeous hot pink with a significant statement bow. 

Badeanu opted for a blossoming design, entitled Blossom in Your Choos. The design brings the outdoors indoors with handpainted flowers decorating the straps, while Scalzo designed the Wisteria pump also decorated in delicate flowers. Lastly, Ved’s design, entitled the Cynosure, was made to see the dance floor. Inspired by her Indian heritage, the stiletto ankle boot is embroidered with crystals and pearls resembling Indian ornaments called Jhumka. 

The couture-esque designs are available for pre-order now on the Jimmy Choo site. One hundred percent of proceeds going Women for Women International, which Choi says she’s “thrilled to be supporting Women for Women International and the incredible work they do helping transform the lives of women survivors of conflict.” The shoes, below.

Jimmy Choo "CHOO Sketch"
JOYCE FUNG’S SWEEPING BROOM, $1240 VIA JIMMY CHOO. SHOP NOW
Jimmy Choo "CHOO Sketch"
PHILLIP TAN RAMIREZ’S NINA, $1650 VIA JIMMY CHOO. SHOP NOW
Jimmy Choo "CHOO Sketch"
VALENTINA BADEANU’S BLOSSOM IN YOUR CHOOS, $1450 VIA JIMMY CHOO. SHOP NOW
Jimmy Choo "CHOO Sketch"
NATHAN SCALZO’S WISTERIA, $2250 VIA JIMMY CHOO. SHOP NOW
Jimmy Choo "CHOO Sketch"
HEMA VED’S CYNOSURE, $2450 VIA JIMMY CHOO. SHOP NOW

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