Jimmy Choo Shoe Designer Zhou Yangjie Interview: Experience Life On The Heel

To be old and learn, as a life creed of Zhou Yangjie (Jimmy Choo), throughout this dialogue, I feel his persistence in design, his admiration for Chinese culture and his British humor.

Welcome to Zhou Yangjie's shoe design world, let him open the door for fashion and creativity, and experience the life on the heel.

Dialogue with Diana, the shoe cobbler Jimmy Choo

Design master

Q: in your design, do you prefer Chinese style or British style?

A: Although I am studying and designing in the UK, as a Chinese American, I am deeply influenced by Chinese culture, so I prefer to use Chinese style in design.

My newly designed wedding shoes are made of pearls and white. These are Chinese elements.

Q: many people like high heels. They think this is sexy and beautiful. What do you think of high heels?

A: I design the concept is clean and comfortable, and I always design is retro style, elegant feeling, so I think the 4 inch high heels are the most suitable and comfortable.

Jimmy Choo designer logo shoes

There are many high heels now, but I don't feel comfortable wearing them. After learning how to make shoes, I learn how to design shoes. But now many people can only design shoes, but they can't make shoes.

I can wear high heels, I also wear high heels, so 4 inch high heels are the most suitable ones, but I can't accept skirts.

Q: I heard that many of your design inspirations come from the stories around you. Can you share your inspiration for design?

A: yes, many of my design inspirations come from the stories around me. For example, when I came to Guangzhou, I saw so many tall buildings, so many modern buildings and so many colors. I would take lots of photos and record these colors, and I would like to draw inspiration from them.

Q: you used to be the designer of the late Princess Diana, how did you design shoes for Diana?

A: as we all know, Princess Diana often attends banquet activities all over the world and will wear different clothes to attend these occasions. When I design shoes for her, I will design and match her clothes according to her clothes.

Q: what are the suggestions for students who study design? Can you share their experience?

A: it is mainly for more training, inspiring inspiration, more understanding of the trend, constantly inspiring creative ideas, hardworking, open-minded and daring to consult teachers, discussing with others, exchanging and studying each other, accepting the opinions of others. If there is innovation, you can refer to other people's practice, but absolutely not COPY; if there is a chance, besides studying in the domestic design, we should also go out and learn the art and skills of foreign design, and broaden our horizons.

My father's exhortation to me is "to be old and learn."

Q: you were born in Malaysia and lived in a shoemaker's family. Then you went to the UK to learn the shoe design. Can you share your childhood memories?

A: my parents are Chinese. Although I was born in Malaysia, I am also Chinese. I love my motherland and I am proud of being Chinese.

I started making shoes when I was little. When I made shoes for my mother, I still remember its style and practice, and I could make the same shoes.

Q: you are a shoe designer and have your own brand. Do you think you are an artist or a businessman?

A: for now, I think I am both an artist and a businessman.

In the past, I could only be an artist, I could only design shoes, and I didn't understand anything about business, but now my company has been bought by private equity organizations. I have my own lawyer, and I have funds and other business elements. I am also a businessman now. At the same time, I am continuing my design work.

Q: have you visited Guangzhou to see the beauty of our Guangzhou? Can you design a shoe for Guangzhou?

A: actually, I really want to visit Guangzhou. Unfortunately, there is no time. But the staff of the hotel gave me a special treat and helped me change a room that could look around the beautiful scenery of Guangzhou.

I hope to have the opportunity to visit Guangzhou, take lots of photos, record the buildings and colors of Guangzhou, and design a shoe for Guangzhou. If the museum is willing to accept it, I would like to donate it.